Performing Department
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Non Technical Summary
The MPS Model Composting Program will implement a composting program in ten (10) MPS schools that serve as a model to scale waste reduction, landfill diversion, and food recovery education district-wide. In 2018, a pilot compost project was introduced to the district but was discontinued in 2020. While the district-wide compositing pilot successfully diverted food waste from food landfills, the program offered valuable insight into some of the challenges and opportunities for implementing a program in MPS. Funds for the compost pilot have been exhausted for both current and new schools. There are a considerable number of schools that have expressed interest in composting programs, however, they lack the funding, training, and/or staff capacity to carry out the initiative in an efficient, effective, and sustainable manner.All school community members will engage in this effort, including custodial staff, kitchen staff, teachers, administrators, and students. First, all parties will have an understanding of reducing food waste and community compost principles and practices. Second, program materials and resources such as bins will be used appropriately. Finally, waste reduction will be built into the culture and curriculum of the school community to be successful. Specifically, this initiative willDivert organic waste from school dumpsters to lessen landfill reliability and practice sustainability.Provide hands-on education and curricular connections to students about composting and food recovery.Scale district composting efforts by creating a guide for new schools to adopt programs in their schools.?Composting programs at participating schools would reach over 6,000 students and staff, diverting organic waste from over 27,000 lunches per week, while expanding the district's capacity to recruit and engage new schools to participate after the pilot ends.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
Divert organic waste from school dumpsters to lessen landfill reliability and practice sustainability.Provide hands-on education and curricular connections to students about composting and food recovery.Scale district composting efforts by creating a guide for new schools to adopt programs in their schools. ?
Project Methods
This project will implement the MPS Model Composting Program pilot at ten (10) schools that have been assessed as having adequate capacity and resources to carry out activities. Lessons learned from the 2019-20 composting pilot highlighted the need for comprehensive training, communication, and consistency. All school community members will engage in this effort, including custodial staff, kitchen staff, teachers, administrators, and students. First, all parties will have an understanding of reducing food waste and community compost principles and practices. Second, program materials and resources such as bins will be used appropriately. Finally, waste reduction will be built into the culture and curriculum of the school community to be successful. This will require a long-term strategic communications and training plan. To begin, the opportunity to participate in the MPS Model Composting Program will be presented to the district's Green and Healthy schools, schools on the waitlist to be Green and Healthy Schools, including those that have existing composting programs. These sites will have appropriate infrastructure and demonstrate the capacity to support project activities. Each school interested in participating will complete a survey to assess capability and enthusiasm for starting and/or continuing a compost program. This "bottom-up" approach ensures buy-in from the entire school community to not only start a compost program but also commit to the program's success.Source ReductionReduce the volume of surplus food generatedConduct waste pre- and post-audit to identify reasons for surplus food. Collaborate with the MPS Department of Nutrition Services, Schools and staff to reduce the amount generated through inventory management, ordering and storage practices, portion control, etc.Feed Hungry PeopleDonate extra food to food banks, soup kitchens, and sheltersThe majority of MPS students are economically disadvantaged. Schools will implement sharing tables to donate extra food to hungry students.CompostingCreate a nutrient-rich soil amendmentMPS will partner with Compost Crusaders, Milwaukee's primary hauler to educate students and staff on composting. Participating schools will have compost picked up on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.Landfill/IncinerationLast resort to disposalStudents will receive education on the importance of composting, recycling, and preferred waste recovery and learn how to use landfills as a last resort.?