Food Waste Composting

at Winchester High School

For a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future.

The student-run Food Waste Composting Program was implemented in WHS’s cafeteria on April 14th, 2025. It is the result of a 3-year+ (and counting!) collaboration with the town’s Transfer Station, Climate Action Advisory Committee, school administration, and Student Council.

The goal of the program is to divert compostable materials from the trash – and thus, from the incinerator – and to compost them at our Transfer Station. In doing so, we cut air pollution, recycle nutrients to grow crops, reduce eco-anxiety, and help WHS students develop lifelong sustainable habits – among many other environmental benefits!

  • Up to 30% of trash burned is food waste

  • Up to 40% of all food produced goes uneaten in the U.S.

  • 95% of discarded food ends up in landfills

Food Waste: The Problem

 
 

~2.5 billion tons of food wasted every year globally

— WWF

Food insecurity for 35 million people across US

— USDA

3 billion metric tons of CO2-equivalent per year

— National Library of Medicine

Americans waste $408+ billion each year on food

— United Food Bank

Food is the single largest category of material placed in landfills.

At Winchester High School

~50% of cafeteria trash is recyclable food waste

~32 lbs of food waste from one lunch period

The Solution:

A sustainable, student-monitored system of separating cafeteria waste into three clean, separate streams: food waste, solid waste, and recycling.

com·pos·ting

/ˈkɑːm.poʊ.stɪŋ/

noun

a natural process where organic matter such as food scraps, paper, and leaves is decomposed into fertilizer

  • Reduces trash burning (fewer harmful byproducts) & air pollution

    Recovery and re-use of nutrients/energy in organic materials

    Healthy soil soaks up carbon → slows climate change

    Soil nutrient increases plant growth, reduces need for chemical fertilizers.

  • Digestor processing costs 95% less than incineration (new aerobic digester in Winchester)

    Increase compost to waste ratio by 18% from 10% by end of 2030 → save $16 billion in municipal waste management costs

  • Community engagement and education on sustainable practices

    Encourage lifelong habits and environmental stewardship