Student Monitors assist the students with direction on proper sorting of their waste into the appropriate containers for garbage, compost and recyclables.

 

The program has been popular with students and parents alike. “Kids are picking up their garbage and are consciously recycling,” said Dave Dyess SKSD Facilities and Operations manager.

The program works by taking leftover food and soiled paper from the school lunchroom and kitchen, thereby diverting it from the waste stream, and sending it to North Mason Fiber Company, a state-of-the-art commercial composting facility. At North Mason Fiber Company, the food and paper scraps are composted into a nutrient-rich, natural soil amendment. Students learn about the idea of "Closing the Loop" in regard to food waste and the challenge of growing piles in landfills.

The program goals are to reduce the amount of organics in the waste stream, lower garbage hauling costs, raise community awareness about composting and waste reduction and give students hands-on experience as environmental stewards.

Over 200,000 tons of garbage is generated annually in Kitsap County, with a conservative estimate of 20% being food waste or other organics. The Food to Flowers program helps divert this material from landfill disposal. In addition, some of the compost produced will be returned to the school for application, thereby “Closing the Loop.”