School Composting Manual - Connecticut

1 The Next StepIn RecyclingSchool CompostingA Manual for Connecticut SchoolsUntitled(author unknown) In the soft warm bosom of a decaying compost heap,a transformation from life to death and backagain is taking is far more than a healing agentfor the soil s in a dank and mouldy pilethe wheel of life is made compost beforethe first woman walked the earth,before the first dinosaur reared its headabove a primeval dead grass of the meadow,seared by winter s frost,is being composted by the dampnessof the earth birds, the insects and the animalsall contribute their bodiesto the vast and continuing cycle of ledgementsSchool Composting ManualAcknowledgementsThis School Composting Manual is based on the experiences of agroup of dedicated people who developed the Composting programat Mansfield Middle School .

2 Virginia Walton, the Town of Mans-field s Recycling Coordinator, spearheaded the compost project andthe coordination of this Manual . Neither would have been possiblewithout her expertise and were fortunate to have had Paula Coughlin, a former MansfieldMiddle School science teacher and environmental educator, authorthis Manual . Throughout the year, she worked with the SteeringCommittee, After- School Club and in classrooms to help developthe program. This guide benefited greatly from her insights intomiddle School culture and thanks go to a dedicated team of three teachers, KarenBurnham, Doug Perkins and Sandra McAlduff, for their hard work and commitment to the program.

3 They, along with theCompost Club members, student workers, and parent volunteersmade the daily compost operation members of the Steering Committee who were important tothe success of the program are Jeff Cryan, Vice-Principal and LonHultgren, Director of Public Works. We d also like to thank theteaching, custodial and kitchen staffs for their cooperation andenthusiasm in making Composting a School Mansfield Board of Education is credited for its foresight andconcern for the environment by providing the matching funds forthe compost Mansfield Public Works Departmentdeserves recognition for the compost bindesign and go to Rebecca Brine, of SpringHill Studio, LLCfor her creative graphicdesign work.

4 For their professional advice and theirreviewing and editing skills, thanks go to Meg Enkler, Recycling EducationCoordinator, and Alexander, Com-post Specialist, of the Department of Environmental Protection Recycling are courtesy of the Council. Bin illustrations are courtesy of Ken Such, EngineeringTechnician, Town of project was funded in part by agrant awarded to the Town of Mansfieldfrom the Connecticut Department ofEnvironmental Manual was developed through a Composting grant awarded to the Town ofMansfield by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection RecyclingProgram. CoordinatorVirginia WaltonMansfield Recycling CoordinatorStorrs, CT and WritingPaula CoughlinGraphic DesignRebecca AlexanderCompost SpecialistConnecticut Department of Environmental ProtectionRecycling EnklerRecycling Education CoordinatorConnecticut Department of Environmental ProtectionRecycling Department of Environmental Protection Permission is granted to educational and government institutions to reproduce the contents of thispublication provided credit is of ConnecticutDepartment of Environmental Protection Elm StreetHartford.

5 CT - Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunityemployer, providing programs and services in a fair and impartial manner. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEPmakes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities needing auxiliary aids and services, or for more information by voice or TYY/TDDcall - - iiiTown of MansfieldIntroductionGoals of the Manual Reasons for Composting Getting StartedDeveloping a Plan and Gathering Support Forming a Steering Committee School Community InvolvementGetting Teachers On Board The Role of Students Support from Other School Community Members Promotional Activities The InfrastructureGreens and Browns of Composting Composting Equipment Compost Bins Costs Day to Day CompostingDaily Tasks Weekly Tasks Finished CompostTesting and Using Your Compost Program Evaluation Taking the Next Step in

6 Recycling ContentsA Manual for Connecticut SchoolsivA Manual for Connecticut SchoolsAppendices Manual ReferencesA Recycling in Connecticut B FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Composting C Connecticut Science Teaching Standards D Compost Club Activities E Inside a Compost Pile F Compost Bin Design G Composting Problems and Solutions Lessons & ActivitiesI Compost Survey II Compost Introductory Lessons III Lessons for Compost Exhibits IV Compost Labs V Take a Compost Tour VI Scavenger Hunt VII Composting True or False VIII Amazing but True Compost Facts IX Ort Sort (Food Scrap Sort)

7 X Dirt Cake Recipe Documents to Copy Resources Glossary Works Consulted vContentsIntroductionSchool Composting ManualIntroductionStudents throughout the state recycle their paper, cans, and bottlesroutinely in their schools. Since January , , it has been manda-tory in Connecticut to recycle eleven different items (see AppendixA, Recycling in Connecticut ,page ). Recycling has become part of our culture. Some schools in the state, like Mansfield MiddleSchool, have already taken the next step in recycling School Composting . Is it time for your School to take the next step? School Composting can be an exciting way to get the entire School commu-nity working together to help the community and the probably have some questions.

8 Why compost? Has anyone elsein the School attempted to compost? Who would be involved? Whatare the steps needed to get started? What would we do with thecompost? How do we plan well so that the program is sustainable?This Manual will help you address these important of this Manual To provide a model for initiating and implementing a School Composting program To help schools reduce their waste stream and increase their recycling rate To teach students, our future community decision-makers, the importance of responsible solid waste disposal and the environmental advantages of compostingYou will find strategies for initiating and developing a plan, routinesteps of the Composting operation, promotional activities, as well aslessons and resources for curriculum connections in this guide.

9 So if you ve been thinking about School Composting , you ve come tothe right place to help your School take the next step in recycling. Look for the Mansfield Middle Schoolbox on the pages of this guide to findpractical information about what workedwell at the School as it developed itscomposting for CompostingSchools can help the environment andtheir community when they compostfood scraps. A School Composting program will: Reduce the School s solid waste stream Recycle natural resources Extend the life of a leaching field and septic tank if a garbage disposal system has been in use (or reduce nitrogen loading to the local sewage treatment facility) Educate the School community about benefits of Composting Create a useful product (finished compost) for landscaping projects There are additional, far-reaching benefits of a Composting program for the School community.

10 Within the classroom, science concepts related to Composting are easily integrated into science, math, social studies and language arts curricula. Taking responsibility for the solid waste stream atschool empowers students by giving them a specific action to help theircommunity and the earth. Students develop a sense of School pride bytaking steps toward becoming a green School (a School that practices wiseuse of natural resources). Students may spread the compost message and beinstrumental in starting Composting at home or in their often have preconceived ideas and fears about Composting . Forexample, they may be concerned about odors that might attract animals or pose safety issues (see Appendix B, FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Composting ,page ).