Proposed by:
Friends Environmental Action Team, Sidwell Friends School. Proposal conceived and drafted by Eric Wang, Elson Bankoff, and Kenji Ishi).
Summary:
Amidst the current pandemic, Sidwell has naturally shifted away from conventional dining practices to reduce risks of COVID spreading. However, as things slowly begin to turn back to normal, FEAT (Friends Environmental Action Team) hopes to make lunch more eco-friendly by incorporating composting and reusable containers. If enacted, the following proposal will help reduce Sidwell’s waste footprint.
Status:
To be Proposed
Approach:
As stated above, we hope to bring back composting and reusable dinnerware. Since all students are eating outside currently, we plan to place compost bins on carts at locations where students tend to eat. The bins would be where students would dump food scraps (uneaten food and food parts that aren’t meant to be eaten), and beneath the bins and on the carts would be where students would place their reusable containers. Once full, the carts would be rolled back to the cafeteria where they would be emptied and possibly returned back to their designated location depending on whether lunch is finished or not. Carts would travel to and from their designated locations using the ramps and elevator.
To manage the steps above, FEAT would work with dining services and the Lunch Duty work program. Before lunch, dining services would label the reusable containers with stickers that mark them as reusable and place them at an accessible location for students to grab during lunch (the latter is already being done and will be talked about more below). They would also make sure that the compost bins and carts are ready for use. Right before lunch, dining services would roll the compost bins on their carts to areas like the courtyard, garage, and sledge garden. During lunch, a combination of students that are part of the Lunch Duty work program and members of FEAT would ensure that the compost bins and carts are not exceeding maximum capacity and that the bins and carts return to the cafeteria after lunch.
To ensure that students and faculty are clear on the procedure regarding composting and the returning of reusable containers, FEAT would properly communicate said concepts. Actions would include sending emails, hosting an assembly where we introduce said changes, and placing signs reminding students of what to do. FEAT would also send emails and meet with the supervisors of Lunch Duty and Mr. Ackerson, Executive Chef, to make sure that dining services as well as students in the work program understand their roles and how the process will work.
Regarding supplies, members of FEAT sat down with Mr. Ackerson to discuss what needs to be acquired and what is already ready for use. Currently, reusable containers are available for use during lunch. Dining services also has enough compost bins to see this plan through. However, more carts will need to be bought and signs and stickers will need to be created.
*FEAT has already discussed with Mr. Ackerson the feasibility of implementing said practices and received support. FEAT has yet to talk with faculty about work program support.
Potential Risks and Solutions:
- Lack of commitment from students and faculty
- Resolved by enforcing participation similarly to how this is done through a work program.
- People putting trash in compost bins
- Provide excessive visuals indicating that the can is compost only, and for the first two weeks that the plan is implemented, have students monitor the waste going into the bin.
- People throwing out or not returning reusable containers
- To address this, FEAT plans to place signage where students frequent, reminding them to place their reusable containers on the carts. Trash cans should also contain a lid that makes it difficult to put the contains into.
Requirements:
- Compost bins
- Compost carts
- Reusable containers– Most are purchased and ready to be used.
- Signs and stickers– Dining Staff has enthusiastically volunteered to provide
- Students and members of dining services to help facilitate the project
Next Steps
- Coordinate budget
- Involve work program
- Inform Club Members
- Meet with Mr. Ackerson again
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