Vision

In April, four students and one teacher from Pickering College attended the LSF-UNESCO conference on sustainability and climate change at York University. Inspired by the discussions, our students sought to initiate positive changes within our school community. They identified a need for improved management of food waste and decided to focus on composting. To develop their plan, they interviewed various members of the school community, including administrators, custodians, directors, teachers, and students, to identify challenges and potential solutions. The students explored various composting methods and considered the logistics of food waste collection. After consulting with experts, they concluded that composting fruit waste would be the most feasible approach. This method is efficient, and the resulting compost can be used in the school’s fruit and vegetable gardens. Consequently, they established a system for collecting fruit waste from all grades, K-12. The school’s existing composters will process the collected fruit waste.

Action

Our solution was two-fold, involving waste collection from various members of our school community, including students, teachers, and non-teaching staff:

We purchased seven small metal containers to collect fruit waste from all junior school classes, grades 1-5. Each container was decorated and labeled with sustainable vinyl stickers. Teachers were briefed on the waste collection process, emphasizing that the bins were exclusively for fruit waste, such as apple cores, banana peels, orange peels, and any leftover fruit from students’ snacks.

Additionally, we acquired two large 50-liter containers. One was placed in a high-traffic hallway and the other in our dining room. We informed the entire school community that these bins were designated for fruit waste only. The large bins were also decorated and labeled with Cricut-cut vinyl stickers.

The Outdoor Adventures Club, a co-curricular group at our school, has taken on the responsibility of collecting the fruit waste weekly. They will use our three existing composters to transform the waste into compost.

Reflection & Celebration

Our school community is thrilled by the launch of this new initiative. By composting our fruit waste, we are taking significant steps to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, this process enhances carbon capture, enriching the soil with vital nutrients and promoting healthier plant growth. This initiative not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also contributes to long-term sustainability and resilience against climate change.

The enthusiastic participation from all members of our school—from students and teachers to administrative and support staff—highlights our collective commitment to environmental stewardship. It is truly inspiring to witness the entire community unite with a shared goal of making the world a greener, more sustainable, and more beautiful place for future generations.

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