School Zero Waste Program Information
CVSWMD runs a highly comprehensive School Zero Waste Program. In keeping with the organizational mission, this program helps schools determine cost effective methods of reducing the amount of waste they generate. We also provide educational opportunities, tools, resources, and highly skilled staff support.
The School Composting portion of this program, which began in 2004, has diverted an estimated 501.9 tons (1,003,851 pounds!) of food scraps away from the landfill to locally owned and operated commercial composting facilities in central Vermont! (as of June 30, 2011) |
NEW! School Zero Waste Grant Program!
School Zero Waste Program
Our School Zero Waste (SZW) Program analyzes the whole school waste stream to determine areas where efficiencies and conservation efforts may be created.
Why should Central Vermont schools promote Zero Waste?
• Schools can save money on trash disposal
• Opportunities for environmental education
• Teaches students to be good environmental stewards
• Schools can become positive community leaders and gain recognition locally and nationally
• Help Vermont’s environment by not sending materials to the landfill and protecting air and water quality
How does CVSWMD help your school reduce waste?
• Our programs help schools divert food scraps from the landfill and minimize the amount of waste disposed of
• Our staff works closely with the school to conduct a waste stream audit to determine how the school can reduce waste through increased composting, reuse, recycling and better purchasing habits
• We offer free book recycling for all in-district schools
• Our dedicated school programming staff offer ongoing technical assistance regarding the school's waste stream
• We update schools on other available programs for hard to recycle items, waste reduction and recycling
Why should Central Vermont schools promote Zero Waste?
• Schools can save money on trash disposal
• Opportunities for environmental education
• Teaches students to be good environmental stewards
• Schools can become positive community leaders and gain recognition locally and nationally
• Help Vermont’s environment by not sending materials to the landfill and protecting air and water quality
How does CVSWMD help your school reduce waste?
• Our programs help schools divert food scraps from the landfill and minimize the amount of waste disposed of
• Our staff works closely with the school to conduct a waste stream audit to determine how the school can reduce waste through increased composting, reuse, recycling and better purchasing habits
• We offer free book recycling for all in-district schools
• Our dedicated school programming staff offer ongoing technical assistance regarding the school's waste stream
• We update schools on other available programs for hard to recycle items, waste reduction and recycling
School Composting: Now part of the SZW Program
Photo by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
100% of public schools in the CVSWMD are now
composting!
We began training schools to divert food scraps in 2004 and have been supporting those schools and training new ones ever since. The program was the recipient of the 2005 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention.
Now, almost seven years later, all public (and several private) schools in the district are composting through our program. Over 10,000 students, faculty, and staff are involved!
We are now one of the largest municipal districts in the nation to have every school engaged in a voluntary daily composting program. Our School Composting Program, a 2005 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention, implements composting programs for elementary, middle, and high school cafeterias and kitchens.
Why Are 100% of CVSWMD Public Schools Taking Part?
Food scraps make up about 20% to 30% of a school’s daily waste stream. It is a valuable material that doesn’t need to be treated like garbage! When diverted away from the landfill and to composting instead, food scraps become a resource that can be used to replenish nutrients in soils to grow more food. The program offers a great way for students to learn about science and the environment, as well as see that their actions can and do make a positive difference in their communities!
Educational Resources for Teachers
Composting Videos
Our Elementary School Compost Program training video was created by Montpelier elementary and high school students in association with CVSWMD. This video is ideal for training students in grades K-4.
| This Middle-High School Compost Program training video was created by Hazen Union Students in association with our partners at the Highfields Center for Composting in Hardwick, VT. This video is ideal for training students in grades 5-12.
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For more information on our School Zero Waste Program contact Gwen Lyons-Baker.
