Food waste management in schools: setting up your program
Schools have several options for food waste management. You can set up share tables, donate unopened items, and compost leftover food onsite or offsite.
You may already be saving money by reducing food waste with certain strategies. Here are some reasons why your school should take the next step by donating and/or composting food waste.
Raise awareness of food waste problems. Students will see their food waste firsthand and understand they can do something about it. They may take action elsewhere as well, including in their homes.
Teach your students through hands-on activities. Your students will learn team-building, science, and math through a composting program. They will build critical thinking skills with a real-world problem.
Save money by composting onsite. Composting food waste onsite reduces the trash your waste hauler picks up. Also, you can use the nutrient-rich compost in your gardens.
What should I do with leftovers from school lunch?
Below are the two main ways to manage food waste in your school.
Set up share tables or donate your unopened food
Share tables are stations where students can return whole foods and beverages they do not intend to consume. Other students can pick up items from the cafeteria table if they want more servings. Endorsed by the USDA, share tables must comply with state and local health and safety codes1.
Many people believe they cannot donate food because it violates health codes. In fact, the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects you from liability when donating food to a nonprofit organization2. A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) memo clarifies that school food programs should donate uneaten food when possible3. The food must comply with local health standards4.
Below are two organizations endorsed by the USDA to help schools set up food donations:
Food Bus is a public charity that works with schools to set up food donations.
Food Rescue provides a free tracking tool and identifies charities that will pick up food donations.
You can compost the remaining food waste from school lunch either onsite or offsite. For composting offsite, identify local waste haulers to discuss pricing and standards (i.e., what types of food they will accept). Some haulers will work with you to set up the food separation system and provide compost bins.
Onsite composting can be a student learning opportunity if your school has the space and volunteers for it. You can also sell the resulting compost as part of a fundraiser. Below are some compost bin systems to consider. Several types of systems are available to fit your school's individual needs.
This system uses plant and wood clippings to create compost. Each bin is in a different stage of composting. One bin receives food waste, one processes it, and the last is ready for spreading.
How you separate food waste will depend on a few items. Here are some questions to consider.
Are you using a share table? These tables should be in a prominent location so students can easily use them. An employee or student volunteer should take food requiring refrigeration to storage at the end of the lunch period.
Are you making food donations? Work with the food pantry or charity (e.g., Food Bus or Food Rescue) to set up a plan. Put signs with pictures of acceptable food in the collection area. An employee or student volunteer can later move the food to the appropriate storage location. This table can be the same as the share table. Donate any food not picked up by students.
Is a hauler taking away the food waste? Work with your waste hauler to set up a plan. Many haulers will provide collection bins. Also, your waste hauler may have rules on what foods they can and cannot accept. Include signs with pictures clearly showing what foods can go in the bin(s).
Are you composting food waste onsite? Read your compost bin system's description. Some systems may not process certain foods. Include signs with pictures clearly labeling what foods are to go in the container(s).
How do I overcome challenges to food waste management?
Food waste management has some challenges. Here are a few, and how to overcome them.
How do I get everyone on board? Present your ideas to interested groups, such as the Green Team or Parent Teacher Association. Be sure to have ready facts about food waste in schools and benefits of a composting program. Involve cafeteria and maintenance staff early to discuss logistics.
What should I do about funding for equipment? You can work with either Food Bus or Food Rescue to set up a food donation program. They may provide equipment such as a refrigerator.
Your waste hauler will likely provide equipment if you compost offsite. Some cities, districts, or states have programs to connect schools with waste haulers. These programs may include other provisions such as free training or grant funding. Check if your area has this type of program.
If you compost onsite, then consider a fundraiser for purchasing equipment.
Which compost bin system should I get? Ask your compost volunteers how much time and effort they can devote. This information will tell you how labor-intensive your compost program should be.
What if I am not ready to compost all our food waste? We recommend starting small when launching your program. Perhaps start by composting once a week or only certain foods. You can build the program up later if you wish. Or, you can combine onsite with offsite composting.
How do I help students sort everything correctly? Create signs with pictures that clearly and concisely show what foods should go where. New programs should have a pilot stage lasting at least two weeks. A volunteer should help students sort food properly. Also, use pilot observations to make any needed program changes. Another pilot may be necessary depending on the number and extent of the changes.
Raise awareness of food waste problems. Students will see their food waste firsthand and understand they can do something about it. They may take action elsewhere as well, including in their homes.
Help local food banks by donating uneaten food. You can be a leader in your community through food donation. You may also inspire students to do further volunteer work.
Teach your students through hands-on activities. Your students will learn team-building, science, and math through a composting program. They will build critical thinking skills with a real-world problem.
Save money by composting onsite. Composting food waste onsite reduces the trash your waste hauler picks up. Also, you can use the nutrient-rich compost in your gardens.
Three-bin compost system
Vermi-composting
Compost tumbler
Sheet mulching