Go Green Committee - Organics Recycling
Organics Composting is currently taking place in all the lunchrooms of Edina public schools. In the cafeteria students separate their lunch trash into three separate bins: (1) recyclable cans and bottles, (2) trash, and (3) organics. Items that go in the organics bin are food scraps, paper products-towels, napkins, bags and special biodegradable serveware made from corn.
Collecting organics in the lunchroom has decreased lunch trash by 50-80% depending on the school. In 2009 Edina schools separated more than 100 tons of organics from trash. Organics are collected twice a week from all participating schools and taken to a commercial composting facility for processing. The organics are inspected for contamination with non-compostable materials before being processed. Only 10% contamination is allowed and Edina schools have never had a case of organics being rejected because of contamination.
Changes in purchasing habits have resulted in less trash and more organics recycling. The food service now purchases paper and compostable serveware instead of plastic and styrofoam products whenever possible. Room parents and PTO’s may purchase paper products and compostable utensils from the Food Service instead of buying and using plastic products for room parties and PTO events that involve food. (see Organic Product Price Guide below).
Some schools have expanded their organics programs by collecting paper towels for composting from bathrooms and at hand washing sinks, composting at class parties in the elementary schools and at special events such as carnivals and all school parties.
Diverting organics from the trash bin to the composting facility has reduced the amount of trash generated by the district and decreased the number of trash pickups by our waste hauler. Organics, like other recyclables, are not taxed by the state or county while trash is taxed by the state (17%) and county (14.5%).
What items are organic and can be composted at school?
- All Food, including
- Fruit & vegetables
- Meat, fish, & bones
- Eggshells
- Bread, pasta, & baked goods
- Dairy products
- Milk cartons
- Paper towels, napkins, & lunch bags
- Paper plates, cups, & containers
- Egg cartons (not styrofoam)
- Freezer & refrigerator food boxes
- Coffee filters & tea bags
- Pizza boxes
- Popsicle / Corndog sticks
- Compostable cups, food wrappers and utensils available from cafeteria-look like plastic but are made from corn polymers
- Paper with paint
- Paper crepe paper
Zero Waste Lunch
What does "Building a Zero Waste Lunch" mean? Simply put, to make a lunch that generates no (or very little) trash. In a zero waste lunch everything can be eaten, reused, or recycled. Here are some tips to help get you started:
- Use a reusable insulated bag or lunch box instead of a brown paper bag, to hold your child’s lunch every day. A reusable ice pack can be used to keep perishable food items cold.
- Use reusable containers that can be washed and used over and over instead of using disposable plastic sandwich bags for sandwiches and snacks.
- Use a thermos or reusable jug instead of a plastic water bottle or a juice box.
- Use metal silverware or wash plastic utensils and reuse them instead of plastic utensils that are used once and thrown away.
- Buy in bulk and pack individual servings in reusable containers.
- Use cloth napkins that can be washed and reused instead of using paper napkins or paper towels.
Did you know.....??
A lunch packed with reusable items is typically 45% less expensive and contains 89% less waste than a lunch packed with single-use items? Reusable containers can be used in lunch boxes as well as at snack time. Containers can be found at local stores and online. The following sites sell reusable containers:
www.reusablelunchware.com
www.kidskonserve.com