How we composted 77603 lbs in one year J/Diverting 84% of our Waste!!

By Wildwood School-Donna Connell

Here are some links to videos and further info about our program

http://globalnews.ca/video/1954747/wildwood-school-celebrates-earth-day Global news feature

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uf5daFXNSw Wildwood School’s Environmental Citizens

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/news-centre/Pages/wildwoods-earth-day-challenge.aspx CBE article

·  Compost is collected in each classroom and every bathroom.

·  We have 8 big green bins for compost (the outside bins) we use4 inside the bathrooms and 4 outside. In each of our main student bathrooms we have a large green bin lined with a lg bag.

•  We also use medium size green bins in each staff bathroom, also lined with a medium bag.

•  Each classroom has a small bin and their own roll of small bags.

•  The bags are key it makes it possible to easily empty the bins.

•  We have needed to remove all hallway and bathroom garbage bins (ensure feminine disposal).

•We used to have one main Waste Management station in the main hallway; Blue Bin, Can/bottle recycling, Compost, and our only Hallway Garbage. Now that caretakers are emptying, we have 4 waste stations, one down each hallway and another near the front doors.

·  Each waste station has; compost, blue bin, refundables, and a grey shredding bin.

•  We have arranged Sat am pick up so that we don't get fruit flies over the weekend :)

•  When students were emptying the compost bins (our large bins, med bins and classroom bins)they only needed emptying once a week. We reminded the school with an announcement after lunch every Friday. We used bags so that students can empty the bins and put everything in our 4 large outside bins. We tried swapping empty bins from outside with full inside-didn't work as there was something gross in the outside bins.

Setting up a Compost Crew

·  We have each grade level, (or if you are a smaller school you could have each classroom) in charge of emptying a certain binor bins. I listed the bins and had the teachers sign up.

·  The kids are crazy eager to have this job. I have made "Compost Crew" badges for them to wear, and give them gloves

·  This year I asked the teachers to select 2 students to be their "Compost Crew"-students who need to experience generosity(those who need their selfesteem to increase by doing a job.) Generally switch each term unless the child needs the job and is good at it. I explained to the teachers that they can have new students take on the job when they feel a switch is necessary-the current crew trains the new recruits :)

·  Prior to doing their jobs, the students came to me for a lunch hour training session which involved: a PowerPoint of the CBE's new waste signs, a game where each child came up and had to sort their garbage into labeled bins (compost, blue bin, refundable, and garbage), and a discussion about not feeding the garbage monster so try to make sure as little as possible goes in there. We gave extra applause for the students who had no garbage as they hadreusablecontainers!

·  We eat lunch in our classrooms-so these students willmonitorthe full class daily- (waste management supervisors). The compost crew get badges and reusable gloves to train the class remembering that mistakes are places to learn not places to get angry frustrated or sad, just places to learn. These students empty the classroom bins (compost and blue bins) and whatever bathroom bin that class is in charge of.

Ordering Information

·  For CBE, bags and some bins can be ordered from Deborah Wehnes 403-817-6324

or they can be purchased at Home Depot etc.

·  Whatever size bin a class has to empty, I make sure they have a roll of the size needed kept in their classroom.

Small Bin Medium Bin Caretaker Bin Large green Bin

I applaud you for taking on this initiative. It is so worth it. They weigh the amount of compost they pick up from your school, so it is a very measurable success for your students.

Before every special event it is important to think, “How will the waste be managed?” compostable plates? Bins? Reusable items? City of Calgary has a mandate to help make all events zero waste if requested. Contact Brent 403-369-0478

Hope my information will help you to get started. Please let me know if I can answer any more questions. Just think if every school in CBE composted all their paper towel, or what if every business in Calgary did? The environmental impact would be staggering.

Spread the word. “Come on Calgary, Compost Paper Towel!”

Good luck,

Donna Connell J

403-777-8430 ext 2024

Deborah Wehnes (CBE Waste & Recycling coordinator)

403-817-6324

Neil Weins (Biocycle Nutrient Solutions ) ph# 403-803-2549

This is the site where all commercial composting in Calgary is done.

Pick ups other than CBE Don Francis , Cheryl Allidina Or “Waste Management” Calgary 877-704-2134

Earth Distributers Compostable Cutlery in packs of 1000 and compostable bags

Quinn Beck or 403-220-0187