The Mashpee Middle/High School led by Science Teacher Shona Vitelli, is making significant strides in diverting materials from the waste stream with their new and improved reusable trays and cafeteria sorting stations! With the support and guidance of The Green Team, this school has launched a transformative program that is reshaping how they manage lunchroom waste. The results speak for themselves!
Shona Vitelli
Green Team Leader.Transforming the Lunchroom
The transformation began when the school introduced reusable trays for all lunches. Immediately, students sorted their food waste from their trash and recycling and brought their trays to the dishroom for cleaning and sanitizing. This simple change has had an outstanding impact, resulting in a 70% reduction in the amount of trash sent to the landfill. Previously, the school produced 12 bags of trash during lunch; now they are down to just 3-4 bags per day!
Impressive Waste Reduction Numbers
o put this into perspective, the school used to generate 384 gallons of trash every day during lunch. With the switch to reusable trays and the active recycling of food waste, that number has dropped dramatically. Over the course of a school year, they have reduced trash by an incredible 69,120 gallons, significantly lowering their environmental footprint and contributing to a cleaner planet.
Turning Food Waste into Valuable Resources
The impact doesn’t stop at waste reduction. The school now collects and recycles almost 14 gallons of food waste each day, which is sent to Black Earth Compost. This organic waste is transformed into nutrient-rich soil, which will eventually be used to grow more food for the school’s garden. This completes the cycle of sustainability and further enhances the school’s green initiatives.
Community Support and Participation
The school has seen overwhelming support from the students and staff, with 65% participation in the new system during the first week—higher than expected. Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, this initiative is becoming the new normal for the school community.
