School Organics Collection for On-Site & Off-Site Composting
Members
Carolyn Dann - Former MassDEP MAC/Voluntee - Andover
Elizabeth Bone - East Longmeadow
Marlene Connelly - Waste Reduction Program Manager - Ipswich
Stephanie Carlisle - Compliance Coordinator - Medway
Suzanne Troy - High School Science Teacher - Melrose
Alison Beucler - Environmental Outreach Coordinator - Melrose
Bryan Jersky - Farm to School Coordinator - Northampton Public Schools
Joanna O'Connell - Schools Project Manager - North Andover
Jill MacCully - Sustainability Group - North Reading
Usha Pillai - Sustainability Group - North Reading
Tracy Hartshorn - Life Science Teacher - Southwick Regional School
Melissa Eusden - Environmental Sustainability Committee - Wakefield
Shellie Kerrigan - HS Science Teacher - North Reading
Janice McPhillips - Holly Hill Farm Educator - Cohasset
Lauren Borofsky - Sustainable Milton - Milton
Samantha Salvatore - Center for Ecotechnology - Program Specialist
Heather Billings - Center for Ecotechnology - Environmental Specialist
Missy Hollenback, MassDEP
Rachel Smith, MassDEP
Gail Sowerder Garron, MassDEP
Click link above to see all Organics meeting notes and action items in chronological order
July 29, 2022 Three municipalities were represented along with CET and MassDEP staff. We will be creating a template letter to send out to School Committee members and Superintendents about composting implementation in schools. We will also be researching successful school composting programs to get resources and see if there is additional cost benefit analysis data that we could use.
Templates, Reports, Surveys & Data
MA Green SWoRD Reducing Food Waste at Schools MA School Waste Reduction and Diversion Working Group (Green SWoRD) and The Green Team resources including information on the MA State Waste Ban on food waste threshold, food waste estimation guides by school type and sample school food waste collection setups
Complying with the Commercial Organics Waste Disposal Ban Reduce, donate and compost
School Composting Resources Commercial composting sites and haulers, MassDEP resources
North Reading Composting Presentation
Composting Slides.pdfComposting in Franklin Schools News Clip
Other Resources
The Green Team - Recycling & Composting Signage THE GREEN TEAM has created easy-to-download signage that can be used for a variety of waste programs, including recycling, composting, share tables, and more! The signs were developed using guidance from Recycle Smart MA and our experience working with schools across the state. Signs are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese with more languages coming soon! .
The Green Team - Reducing Food Waste at School In light of the Massachusetts Food Waste Disposal Ban and growing popularity of school gardens and composting, THE GREEN TEAM has compiled a list of links, lesson plans and how-to’s to help teachers introduce these topics into their classrooms and schools. If your school is interested in implementing a food waste diversion or composting program, please request help on the registration form or email THE GREEN TEAM. We have resources to help you start a compost program, request free equipment, and offer expert technical assistance. We’d love to help! .
MassDEP Commercial Organic Materials Waste Ban Guidance for Businesses, Institutions, and Haulers - January 2022 Your questions about the organics ban answered.
Hands to Earth Suggestions for Starting a School Composting and Gardening Program
CET Reducing Food Waste in K-12 Schools: Strategies for Prevention, Donation, and Recycling Webinar Learn about share tables, external food donation, and more.
StopWaste's Cafeteria Sorting Station Rollout Guide StopWaste’s Cafeteria Sorting Station Rollout Guide provides some of the considerations and best practices to keep in mind as you build towards a successful sorting program at your school. This guide utilizes the 5-Step Action-Based Learning Model as a framework.
StopWaste's Meal Sorting Station Guide StopWaste’s Meal Sorting Guide illustrates one of the best practices in setting up your indoor or outdoor meal sorting station – placing the bins in an order that will encourage proper sorting.