Starting A School Compost

Compost is a natural process of recycling food scraps.

Compost is soil that forms from broken down food and plant waste. It is a nutritious addition to the garden to help plants grow.

Ideas for getting started: 

• Compost can be made in container or a pit in the ground.
• Use brown and green waste in layers, more brown than green.
• Use “brown” plant scraps like old leaves, palm fronds, torn up paper and small twigs. Add “green” food and plant waste like fruit and vegetable scraps, green leaves.
• Keep moist but not wet. Sprinkle water on layers as you go.
• Turn every few days to let air into the compost.
• The compost should be warm and steamy and shouldn’t smell “bad”.
• Add to the garden bed or containers when it has turned into soil.
• As the compost starts to turn into soil, start a new compost pile. This may be every 2-3 months.
• Nourish your plants. Here are ideas for making natural fertilizers-https://sustainableholly.com/15-easy-organic-fertilizers-to-make-at-home/

Links for getting started: 

• RHS Campaign for School Gardening , UK      
• Live and Learn  Life Around Us Module 3  Page 120 -125    
• Tropical House and Garden. “Best Ways to Make Compost in The Tropics”  by Dennis Hearne  
• Eco Schools Global Lesson Plans For Teachers 14. Decomposition 
  Before you Begin 
  6-8 Years: Where Did My Stuff Go?  
  6-8 Years: Compost in a bucket 

Link to stories that teach about sustainability:

(Starting a school Compost) 

School Level: Middle to Upper Primary

Other Ideas: Keep projects simple. Think about what you already have.

Use readily available resources – upcycle items that you already have to create compost bins and covers.

Examples in schools around the world

The following list of schools features examples of sustainability practices which are part of school programs around the world.

Generally, these schools aim to achieve a Whole School Approach; the school community integrating sustainability into their daily programs and school life.

These examples highlight some of the outstanding but achievable practices. Projects do not have to be on a large scale to be effective.  

India: Auxilium Convent School

Students use old PVC pipes and tyres as planters for their crops. All class levels are involved and have designated tasks.  All students take turns in waste collection and gardening. 

Thailand: Ban Map Ta Phut School

As part of a three-school pilot project: “Waste-free Community,” composting plays a large part in the project.

Fiji: Nadi Town Municipality schools

Students compost their food waste and returning the compost to the garden. School classes have bins to collect food scraps. 

Australia: Menzies Creek Primary School

The school has an edible garden and students learn to grow plants, compost and cook their produce.