schools#2 cafeteria composting programs - cambridge

Setting Up Food Waste

Composting for School Cafeterias

Meryl Brott, City of Cambridge Recycling Program Manager

mbrott@cambridgema.gov 617-349-4836

www.cambridgema.gov/recycle

The Story of Composting in Cambridge…

•Home compost bins sales (1992)•Worm composting workshops (2004)•Commercial collection (2006)•Residential drop-off (2008)•School composting (2009)

City of Cambridge

Lunch Waste Sort (2004)• 35 lbs per 100 students / day• Composting to come 1st• Replace Styrofoam 2nd because

biodegradables 3x the cost

Grant on Biodegradables (2005)

• List of buyers & quantities and issued RFP

• 2 vendors on state contract• Limited product selection

(small bowls, no spork kits)

Sprouts of Hope (2007)• Presented before the School Cmte• School Cmte asked School Dept to look into alternatives.

Commercial composting in Cambridge.

Food waste collection service up to 6 days a week.

Cambridge Public Schools

• 12 K-8 public schools in Cambridge and 1 high school. 6,100 students.

• Recycling programs in place

since 1990s.

• Styrofoam trays from lunchrooms are recycled locally through a Boston Public School program.

STRIVE - Styrofoam Recycling

• Boston Public Schools vocational program in Brighton. •Contract for daily collection of Styrofoam from each school.

• Empty trays go into clear plastic bags in a stand.

• Cleaned and pelletized, shipped to local company.

San Francisco Food to Flowers

Food to Flowers

Education

Lunchroom Setup

Operations

Process:• Trash is lighter, cleaner.• Liquids down the drain.• Contaminants removed.• Easy storage.• Pick-up once a week.

Materials:• Yellow compost barrel. • Slim jim for milk cartons.• Bucket for liquids. • Biodegradable bags.• Labels for containers.• Toters from the hauler.

Results!

• 3 schools participating, 10 more to go• Averaging 15 – 20 lbs per 100 students /day• 18+ tons collected Mar 2009 – Mar 2011 • Community Enthusiasm & Pride• May 2010 Jane Goodall visits the King Open!

Step by Step Lunchroom Composting Guide(At www.cambridgema.gov/recycle click on About Recycling,

then Schools, then Recycling Collection)

Meryl Brott, City of Cambridge Recycling Program Manager

mbrott@cambridgema.gov 617-349-4836

www.cambridgema.gov/recycle