Wyland Elementary Takes on Organic Waste

Recycling at School - School Recycling Success Stories

January 2009

They may not all be delighted at the sight of worms, but 5th graders at Wyland Elementary are excited to start decreasing the amount of garbage generated at their school cafeteria by vermicomposting food waste.  Vermicomposting is a way to naturally break down food leftovers with the help of worms and other decomposers.  The whole idea developed during a brainstorming session when one student suggested examining food waste at the school.  They decided to knock out waste at a major source – their cafeteria. 

A kick-off assembly for the entire student body was put together by Mrs. Karen Worland, students, and RSP staff to explain the importance of composting.  Students read a green fairy tale poem, designed posters and signs for display, and acted out a decomposition play.  The presentation included the results of a recently conducted food audit as well as an explanation of how the new program will work.

Before the assembly, a group of students teamed up to record the types of food being served daily during a typical month.  They designed an interactive electronic visual of a lunch tray to show the rest of the school which foods are compostable in their program and which foods must continue to go in the garbage.  With Worland’s help, they did research on vermicomposting and figured out how they could apply what they learned to decompose of a portion of their excess food waste.

After finishing lunch, 5th graders will have the opportunity to dispose of their fruit and vegetable food waste in a separate container.  The scraps will then be taken to an outdoor compost bin made by a former Wyland student who is currently working on becoming an Eagle Scout. 

Composting is the next step in the “Wyland Knocks Out Waste” program created and implemented by GT 5th graders last school year.  Mrs. Worland will continually organize brief educational sessions with the children to review the program rules. Vermicomposting at school may have its challenges but with experimentation and perseverance, the program will be successful as students begin exploring the wonderful world of worms!

Wyland Elementary students participate in a decomposition cycle skit.