Schools composting

 Composting is a valuable teaching tool.  As well as being good for the environment and improving the schools green footprint composting is a valuable interdisciplinary teaching tool covering areas of the curriculum such art, biology, chemistry, communication. economics, environmental studies, mathematics and sociology.

  If composting forms part of a waste reduction programme students learn to become wiser consumers that can lead to more responsible and environmentally friendly approach to the use of natural resources, food production and waste reduction and recycling. It also provides knowledge and behaviour changes that can be applied at home. I would like all schools to compost their organic waste however before starting to compost at school there is a need to determine the extent of that composting, the systems that need to be put in place to achieve the aims of the group and to comply with the relevant regulations.

 If the school is planning to only compost waste from the school garden the activity can easily be controlled by one teacher and the gardening club. If, however it is intended to compost waste fruit and lunch box waste greater involvement will be required and if waste from the canteen is to be included the management requirements become significant. With this in mind we have included a page on composting in schools with emphasis on the systems required to effectively manage the process to ensure that it is effective and will continue when key staff leave, and students’ progress to other schools. Information is given at http://www.carryoncomposting.com/416920207