Food waste makes up 22% of the 2.4 million tons of trash in Connecticut. Branchville’s PTA launched a pilot program to reduce, recycle and compost cafeteria waste last spring. 'A Path to Zero Waste' officially rolled-out in Ridgefield on Earth Day, April 22nd.
The goal is to teach K-5th grade students to respect their environment. One way they can do that is by separating cafeteria waste into different bins, clearly labeled garbage, recyclables, food waste/compostables and liquids. A dedicated “green team,” comprised of parent volunteers/PTA, faculty and students is leading the charge. Branchville’s recent trash audit revealed that 78% of the municipal solid waste from cafeteria trash can be diverted.
"Branchville is ahead of the curve, but it takes a village to create sustainable change. If we encourage students, faculty and parents to get on the path to zero, we’ll limit our impact on the environment,” said BES Principal, Keith Margolus. "In less than two months, we offset over 1,800 lbs of food waste through our composting initiative."
Since the Branchville rollout, all of the town elementary schools have embraced the Net Zero initiative. The goal is to compost at all locations, though this will not happen completely with the start of the upcoming school year. We will first focus our efforts at the elementary level, moving upward to middle schools, and lastly the high school. The district goal is to have all schools composting before the end of the 2023-24 school year.
According to Principle Margolus, "the zero waste program has a goal of creating environmentally friendly habits in our youth. Our goal is to form these good habits in school, so our students will practice these good habits in their everyday lives throughout the future.”
We are thrilled that our students are leading the way to a more sustainable Ridgefield!