sustainability – TrayTalk.org

Utah Elementary Lunchroom Leads the Way in Food Waste Diversion

At Academy Park Elementary near Salt Lake City, sustainability isn’t a buzzword, it’s a practice woven into the fabric of the school’s daily cafeteria operations. Thanks to the hard work of head custodian Rylie Ogden, the school is leading by example with their innovative food waste diversion process. The initiative is a perfect blend of education, teamwork and commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.

Composting in Montana Cafeterias

With several elementary schools in Bozeman School District 7 (Montana) successfully composting for a few years, the district’s nutrition department teamed up with a local business to bring composting to all 12 of its cafeterias and central kitchen facility this year.

Since the start of this school year, more than 27,000 pounds of food scraps have been collected and diverted from the landfill. The nutrition department now uses biodegradable paper products that can also be composted.