Sustainability Club

OUR MAIN GOAL: GETTING COMPOSTING IN OUR SCHOOLS

Imagine turning every banana peel, pizza crust, and uneaten apple into something that gives back to the planet. Food scraps make up about 20% of trash by weight collected in Ramsey and Washington counties. By collecting food scraps in our lunch room, our school can significantly reduce waste sent to the trash, cutting down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions like methane. Instead of rotting in trash bags, these scraps can be composted into nutrient-rich soil that can help gardens grow. 

The proposed program is a hands-on way for students to engage in sustainability, environmental science, and civic responsibility. It promotes environmental leadership and can be tied directly into science curriculum, student clubs, and green initiatives. It’s simple, cost-effective, and a powerful step toward a more sustainable future.

To get food scrap collection started in our school, the sustainability club has been working with Washington County staff to develop a plan for implementation. Washington County has funding, resources, and technical support available to help our school start, improve, and manage trash, recycling, food scraps, organics recycling, and waste reduction programs.