Guest Blogger Cher Mohring
1. Compost
Onsite
Onsite outdoor composting is
probably the easiest and least expensive option. Now when I say “easy”, I don’t
mean totally maintenance free. You will need to turn
the compost, make sure you have a good balance of carbon and nitrogen rich material, monitor for moisture,
and most importantly teach your students and staff what should (plant based
material) and should not (animal products and oily food) be composted.
My advice to any school wanting to
compost onsite is to think of it as a teaching tool and not a waste reduction
activity. Start small by just collecting fruit and vegetable scraps from one
grade; or garden trimmings, leaves and coffee grounds. You can always increase collection if
everything is going fantastic. Check with your local government on zoning
restrictions, keep it away from streams and storm drains, and make sure it does
not exceed 300 square feet.
Compost Kids Field Trip at the Civic Garden Center |
2. Vermicomposting
(with worms!)
Vermicomposting
uses special worms in a container to compost fruit and vegetable scraps. Some of the advantages are that you can
actively compost year round, vermicompost is superior to just about any other
compost, you can use the vermicomposting system for all kinds of experiments,
and you have enough class pets for each student to name one (good luck telling
them apart). Some challenges are that you need to buy worms to get started, you
need to separate the finished compost from the worms when you harvest, the
finished compost should be used inside, and if not managed properly you could
get fruit flies.
Learning about worms is fun |
3. Offsite
Composting
Having organics hauled away to a
commercial composting facility diverts the most material from the landfill
because you are not limited by space and you can usually include animal
products (meat and dairy). Before you get too excited, I feel obligated to tell
you that there are limited commercial composting facilities in Southwest Ohio
right now, so it will likely cost you more to have the material hauled away for
composting than landfilling it.
Whatever option you choose, be sure to educate your students about
composting. If your school is in Hamilton County, Ohio, consider one of our classroom program or
Compost Kid’s field trips.
We Are Here to Help
Before you get started, check out our Composting at School web page .
Email or call (513-946-7737)
Cher Mohring for important information about local regulations and assistance
starting composting at your school.
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