Eliminating cafeteria food waste through composting
Term
2007
Capstone
Thesis
Degree Name
MAED: NSEE
Abstract
Two research questions addressed teach students to create less food waste and lower ecological footprints by composting any organic waste unfinished at meals. Can students learn to create less food waste in the cafeteria and, secondly, can money saved on trash bagging and removal costs be sufficient to fund a classroom budget? Students were observed taking more food than necessary at meals and discarding food wastes in the trash that could have been composted. Surveys are included to assess prior knowledge on composting practices and to gage eating habits by typical junior high students at a boarding school. Engaging, hands on activities teach about composting, global warming, and composting biology. Over a period of several weeks, the data shows less organic waste reaches landfills as students begin to take the appropriate amounts of food. Any food scraps unfinished are composted on site in a simple to manage compost bin by student volunteers.
Recommended Citation
Simons, Gregory, "Eliminating cafeteria food waste through composting" (2007). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 1016.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/1016