Some schools have already started the practice, and the district plans to grow the program to divert the food waste and cartons from the landfill. The food that is collected will be measured and other points of data collected as well. Last year, in just April and May, our 10 cafeterias diverted 230.84 gallons of food waste.
In the coming weeks tables will be placed in cafeterias to provide an assembly line approach to collecting food waste and recyclables. It will include a bucket for fluids, a large container for empty cartons, a collection bucket for the food, along with trash bins.
Ron Reed, Supervisor of Facilities, says “The food that is diverted from the landfill can be used as resources in a number of different ways. Our goal is help anyone who wants to take the waste to feed animals. Currently some of the food that we collect and divert goes to chickens, ducks, and pigs.”
If staff or community members are interested in taking the waste and putting it to good use, please contact Ron Reed for more information.