School Compost Programs: Pathways to Success

By Kary Schumpert and Cyndra Dietz, Eco-Cycle
This article describes how composting can help schools achieve zero waste and provides the how, why, and steps to follow.

After the oft-repeated three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) comes the lesser known, but equally important fourth R, rot, for compost. There are a number of methods that a classroom, school or school district may use for establishing a compost program. The finished product is a valuable soil amendment, adding fertility to local farms, school gardens or classroom plantings. What must be kept out of compost is as important as what should go in. However, much of a school’s waste stream that is not recyclable, and is organic, can be composted. ..