It takes a village...Einstein teamwork reduces school waste

Einstein Middle School.  Photo courtesy Einstein PTSA.

by Diane Hettrick

Albert Einstein Middle School, through a program they call "Use Less at Lunch" increased their recycling, created new compost for the school garden (see article on Edible School Yard), and decreased the amount of garbage produced at the school from eight cans a day to one. In the process, they saved the school money.

Perhaps it wasn't a village, but it was definitely a team of focused and supportive members.

Marcia Garrett, a teacher already instrumental in the Edible Schoolyard project (see previous story), had a suspicion that a lot of recycling was going in the garbage during school lunches and that it would be a good thing to do something about it.

She advises a student community service club, called SERVE, and she thought it would be a good thing for them to explore. SERVE members Josh Paik, Sofia Takherkani, Jonas Chen, Hannah Lee, Katya Grigerson, Roxie Williams, and Muyen Huang were enthusiastic, seeing a project where they could make a huge difference. 

According to Marcia, "The students knew there were ways to improve the environment that had not been tapped yet, so they invited folks at CleanScapes to tell them how they could make changes in the Einstein school cafeteria. "

CleanScapes is the company that the City of Shoreline contracts with for garbage and recycling services. CleanScapes is totally committed to recycling - "We don't own a landfill" - they say, and they were happy to help.

SERVE club members hand-sorted the garbage in a Waste Audit

Hannah Swee of CleanScapes provided the initial contact and information about what could be done with the kind of waste typically produced from the school lunchroom.

Candy Castellanos of CleanScapes arrived for the second stage - the archaeological dig.

SERVE members donned aprons and plastic gloves and hand-sorted the contents of the lunchroom bins in a waste audit to find out if the right stuff was being put into the recycle containers.

Marcia says, "What they discovered astonished them: A remarkable amount of recyclable waste was going into the regular trash AND a huge amount of the waste could have been composted as food waste."

They were determined to make changes in how the school sorted and handled its lunchroom waste.

They took their proposal to the principal, Stephanie Clark. She was interested, and contacted Aldan Shanks, CleanScapes Waste Diversion Manager.

Bins were clearly and colorfully labeled

The pilot project was created. The SERVE club created labeling for the bins, the student body was advised of proper sorting and were taught composting in their science classes. 

A "Share" table was set up in the lunch room for students to put the food they will never even open, rather than in the garbage.

Aldan Shanks of CleanScapes joined principal Stephanie Clark in the lunchroom for the first three days of the project.

Dan Prince, Einstein custodian, helps SERVE members with the bins

The final member of the team is Dan Prince, Einstein's custodian. Principal Clark points out that the steady support and leadership from him is crucial to the success of the program.

So it took a large team - service club, teachers, students, principal, custodian, CleanScapes - but the payoff has been enormous. Eight cans of garbage a day went to one can a day. Compost is produced for the school garden. Students have learned more about recycling and composting. The school saves money. 

Principal Clark sees the larger learning process that occurred.

"I am really proud of the students during both lunches.  We have learned organizing your waste to properly dispose in the correct container can be an advanced thinking skill.  At first it took a small committee to decide if a specific container should be recycled or thrown away. I am hopeful the knowledge and habits created during lunch time will make students more conscientious consumers for the rest of their lives. "

The project could use some community volunteers. Contact the school office 206-393-4730 for more information.