UPLIFT School District Partnerships Program

Campus On-Site Composting at K-12 Schools

Turning Waste into Nutrient-Rich Soil

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Utilize the Composting at School

LAUNCH Eco-Toolkits Below!

K-5, Facilitator Led

6-12, Student Led

Organics Recycling with Waste Haulers (off site compost) vs. Composting at School with Staff/Students (on site compost)

Organics Recycling

Composting at School

If your campus is located in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, check local laws for organics recycling mandates. This may include all organic waste to go into a green bin and be hauled away to a processing facility where the scraps are composted and used to create energy!

Composts that are located on school sites should only take fruit, vegetable, certain paper, and landscaping scraps since the waste is being processed on-site. The on campus compost should not accept any meat, dairy, or yeasts.

What is compost?

Composting is nature's recycling!

It's the process of breaking down organic materials like food scraps, leaves, and paper into nutrient-rich soil.

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Anaerobic Digestion

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Anaerobic digestion is a natural biological process where microorganisms break down organic materials in the absence of oxygen.

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This process happens in anaerobic digesters or tanks, producing biogas: primarily methane and carbon dioxide, along with a nutrient-rich residue known as digestate.

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In landfills, Microorganisms break down the organic materials, generating methane gas as a byproduct. While this process helps in waste breakdown, the methane produced is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to climate change when released into the atmosphere. Some landfills capture this methane to generate energy, reducing its impact, but overall, anaerobic digestion in landfills highlights the importance of proper waste management to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.

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Aerobic Digestion

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Aerobic digestion is a natural biological process that breaks down organic matter in the presence of oxygen.

This occurs in environments like compost piles or aerobic digesters where microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, thrive and decompose organic materials.

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Unlike anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion produces carbon dioxide, water, and heat as byproducts.

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This process is efficient in reducing organic waste while producing compost, a nutrient-rich soil addition that enhances soil structure and fertility, making it a sustainable method for managing organic waste and improving soil health.

What is Organic Waste/Matter?

Organic Waste is solid waste containing material originated from living organisms and their metabolic waste products including, but not limited to:

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Food

Green material

Landscape and Pruning Waste (tree limbs, leaf litter, etc.)

Organic textiles and carpets

Lumber

Wood

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Paper products

Printing and writing paper

Manure

Biosolids

Digestate

Sludges

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What is compostable on campus?

Organic Waste is solid waste containing material originated from living organisms and their metabolic waste products including, but not limited to:

• Fruit and Vegetable Scraps: Peels, cores, and leftovers from fruits and veggies.
• Coffee Grounds and Filters: Used coffee grounds and paper filters.
• Eggshells: Rinsed and crushed eggshells add calcium to the compost.
• Shredded Paper: Non-glossy paper like newspaper or office paper (avoid colored or glossy paper).
• Leaves and Yard Waste: Fallen leaves, small twigs, and grass clippings.
• Straw or Hay: Dry straw or hay can help aerate the compost pile.
• Plant Trimmings: Pruned branches, flowers, and other garden trimmings.
• Cardboard: Unwaxed and shredded cardboard adds carbon to the mix.
• Tea Bags: Used tea bags (without staples) are compostable.
• Cotton Cloth: Natural fibers from old clothing or towels (cut into small pieces).

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The Recipe for Compost: Brown & Green Matter

Maintain a 2:1 Ratio!

Brown Matter (2 parts)

• Carbon rich materials
• Balances nitrogen
• Balances moisture
• Provides structure to the compost pile
• Provides steady decomposition
• Absorbs odors

Green Matter (1 part)

• Nitrogen rich
• Balances carbon
• Generates heat
• Provides moisture
• Accelerates decomposition

How Does On-Site Composting Work?

Collection: Gather organic waste such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper products from lunch areas and landscaping activities.

Layering: Within your compost bin, layer brown matter (leaves, shredded paper) and green matter (food scraps, grasses). Maintain a 2:1 brown to green matter within your compost!

Turning: Regularly mix, water, and aerate the compost. The compost should be damp, but never wet!

Waiting: Let nature do its job! It takes time for the waste to break down into compost.

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Setting Up Composting on K-12 School Campuses

• Identify a Location: Compost bins can be located near the school garden (if applicable) and visible to the school community to foster widespread engagement. The bin should be located away from the physical school building and have adequate sunlight as well as drainage. Placing the compost near a water source/accessible to a hose can be helpful!
• Get Equipment: Acquire an organics compost bin for your lunch area to capture food wastes - this should be monitored by your Green Team! Set up additional compost bins wherever necessary. Gather a compost system, shovels, pitchforks, and gloves.
• Educate: Utilize each students and staff how to separate organic waste and the importance of composting.

Equipment Recommendations

• Aeration Tools: Pitchforks, compost aerators, or turning tools for mixing and aerating the pile.
• Composting Activators (Optional): Compost starters or accelerators can speed up the decomposition process.
• Covering or Tarp: Helps maintain moisture and warmth, especially in colder climates.
• Gloves and Pitchfork: For turning and handling the compost pile.
• Green Bins & Buckets: Capture food scraps in all areas where food/organics are produced (lunchroom, lounges, kitchens, etc.)
• Thermometer (Optional): To monitor the internal temperature of the compost for optimal decomposition.
• Shovel or Rake: Useful for adding and turning materials within the compost pile.
• Visual Signage: Educates campus users and engages campus community!

Composting Systems

• Tumbler Composter: A rotating drum or container that accelerates decomposition by aerating the materials inside. Examples include models from Envirocycle and FCMP Outdoor.
• Vermicomposting: Utilizes worms to break down organic waste. Worm bins like those offered by Worm Factory or Uncle Jim's Worm Farm are ideal for compact spaces.
• Stationary Compost Bins: Enclosed bins or containers that allow aerobic decomposition. These can be DIY setups or products available from various retailers, promoting decomposition in a contained environment.
• Aerated Static Pile Systems: Larger-scale composters suitable for municipalities or businesses. Systems like those from XACT Systems efficiently handle organic waste.
• In-Vessel Composters: Closed containers or systems that control temperature and moisture. Companies like Green Mountain Technologies offer such composting solutions for larger facilities.
• Community Composting: Shared spaces or programs such as SharedWaste foster collective composting efforts in communities, allowing multiple households to contribute.
• Windrow Composting: Long rows or piles of organic matter often used in agricultural or industrial settings. Companies like Midwest Bio Systems provide equipment for managing larger volumes of compostable materials.

Benefits of On-Site Composting

Reducing Waste: Composting decreases the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, cutting down the methane emitted into the atmosphere and reducing collective environmental impact.

Enriching Soil: Compost creates nutrient-rich soil that enhance biodiversity, soil health, gardens, and landscaping.

Educational Opportunity: Establishing a compost on-site is an incredible hands-on learning experience for students, teaching them about sustainability and the environment.

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Student Involvement

• Utilize Grades of Green’s Composting at School LAUNCH Eco-Toolkit for both K-5th grades and 6-12 grades
• Compost Monitors: Assign students to manage and maintain the composting process.
• Campus Engagement: Organize events or workshops to involve the entire school community.
• Learning Opportunities: Incorporate composting into lessons and create hands-on activities.

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K-5, Facilitator Led

6-12, Student Led

Let’s get Green!

Takeaways: UPLIFT Resources

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• UPLIFT_Composting Resource Handout
• UPLIFT Waste Resource Handout
• Download CalRecycle’s signage for your campus!
• Utilize Grades of Green’s Signage!

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Takeaways: LAUNCH Eco-Toolkits

Takeaways: LAUNCH Eco-Toolkits

Takeaways: LAUNCH Eco-Toolkit Handouts

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• Campus Composting Overview and “How To”

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• Education Script for Peer Engagement & Walking Assembly

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• Types of Compost Systems