1. Cambridge Lunchroom Composting
in 5 easy steps
1 2 3 4 5
5-6 weeks from launch day 3-4 weeks from launch day 1-2 weeks from launch day Launch day Ongoing
COMPOSTING COMMITTEE PLAN PROGRAM FINAL STEPS KICKOFF! ONGOING
Meryl and Kristen work Meryl prepares publicity Meryl presents at school Meryl and Composting Monitoring for first
with Principal, Custodian & materials and supplies meeting with all staff and Committee run two month, then as needed.
Lead Teacher to form a within school and home distributes first round of morning assemblies
to families. publicity materials. (likely: K-4, 5-8) on a Composting is reinforced
Composting Committee.
Tuesday or Wednesday. in lessons.
Meryl and Kristen meet Meryl arranges for weekly Meryl begins lunchroom New staff and students
with Composting collection and monitor trainings. Start composting at are trained.
Committee to explain coordinates with Senior lunch!
rollout of program. Custodian. Meryl and Composting Adults provide quality
Committee meet once Students monitor for control and feedback.
Composting Committee Composting Committee with kitchen staff, lunch first month. DPW/parent
meets to discuss training aides, custodians. volunteers also monitor Expansion of composting
visits a composting
of lunchroom monitors for first two weeks. to other areas is
school during lunch.
and to plan kickoff. Meryl and Composting explored, including
Committee finalize slide teacher’s lounge, meals
shows for assemblies. in the classroom.
2. Lunchroom Composting in Cambridge Schools
Example lunchroom composting set up:
Table for younger kids to set their trays down on
1. Trash barrel
2. Liquids bucket
3. Milk cartons bin
4. Compost barrel
5. Styrofoam recycling stand
1 2 3 4 5
Bob Medeiros, Senior Custodian
at the King Open, shares:
With composting, the trash is lighter and less messy,
and that keeps my dumpster cleaner than before.
Liquids are poured down the drain in the closet
through a strainer. It works out just fine.
Kids don’t always get it right, but it’s not a big deal
to take out what doesn’t belong.
Collection is easy. After lunch I tie off the bags of
Read the compost and put them in special toters. The truck
Step by Step Lunchroom comes by reliably once a week to pick it up.
Composting Guide I’m really proud of the students. We have kept over
at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle 24,000 pounds of food out of the trash from March
(About Recycling> Schools> Recycling Collection) 2009—Feb 2011.
