Turning Seattle's Food Scraps Into Gardening Gold w/ Cedar Grove Compost

Mrs. Dawson came to Green Team today and shared great information about the Cedar Grove Compost. She showed us the above video which was just wonderful. We learned that food waste in the land fill turns to methane gas. By composting our food scraps we reduce methane gas which is destroying the ozone. Did you know that all food scraps; meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, etc. can go in the yard waste and food scrap tote? Additionally, by composting instead of using the garbage disposal we are conserving water. Green team members were given a Tips sheet and a compost able bags so that they can start composting today. Special thanks to Mrs. Dawson for being a community contributor and helping us to understand how we can be more sustainable.

The Garbage Patch

Glacier Park encourages students to bring a waste free lunch. Why? What is a Waste Free Lunch?

It has been estimated that on average a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average -size elementary school.

Glacier Park Green team is rethinking to help make are school more "green"; and encouraging students and parents to pack a waste-free lunch is one such change that is easy to make. A waste free lunch will also help your family budget and help you eat a healthier lunch.

Education is the First Step

Education is the first step in the transition to a waste-free lunch. Talk to your children about why the school is encouraging a waste-free lunch program. Below is a list that will help build communication and foster understand.

Teach children about recycling at home. Encourage them to help sort the recyclable from the non-recyclables.

Discuss the choices at the grocery store regarding excessive packaging. Ask students if they find a more earth friendly substitute.

Find books and web-sites on waste reduction. Cedar grove has a great web-site and so does King County.

Tips for reducing your work load

If you don't already, try packing lunches the night before and keep them in the refrigerator.

Teach your children to make nutritious waste free lunch. They will be more likely to eat what they have prepared.

After school student unpack their lunch containers directly into the dishwasher.

Reduce food waste

Most parents would be appalled by the food wasted in the lunchroom.

Ask your student to bring home lunch leftovers. Look at leftovers as a great way to to get information about your child's food preferences.

Maintain a dialogue without criticizing.

Before offering an after school snack, request that they finish their lunch.

Cut up fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces. Children often take one or two bites out of a apple or banana and throw the rest away.

Show Us Your (Plastic) Trash!

Show us your plastic trash

Take the challenge: Collect your plastic waste both recyclable and non recyclable for three days. Then photograph, tally, and send your photo and survey to chaws@tahomasd.us . What can we learn about our habits and life styles, by examining our waste? What changes can each of us make to leave the planet a little less trashy.

Challenge rules

Collect all your families plastic waste both recyclable and non- recyclable for three days.

Live normally, it doesn't help to artificially reduce your plastic consumption for the sake of the three day tally. Think of this exercise as a scientific experiment.

Take a photo of your trash and tally or list items at the end of the collection days.

Answer the questions on the survey below and send your picture and survey to chaws@tahomasd.us by April 11th.

Survey

Name ( first names only please)

Number of people in household:

Number of days spent collecting plastic waste

Total number of items:

Total number of recyclable items:

Total number of non recyclable items:

Goal: What items are you will to replace with a more environmentally friendly product or what items are you willing to give up?

Reflection: What did you learn? How will you use this information?

Thank you for participating in our experiment.