School Composting from a Haulers Perspective

Conor Miller

conor@blackearthcompost.com

Black Earth CompostConor Miller conor@blackearthcompost.com

Service and Operations

Currently Pick Up From:

3 High Schools

3 Elementary Schools

1 College Prep School

1 College

Totes at Manchester Essex Regional High School

Totes at Beverly High School

Monitoring Contamination

Adult Supervision is key!

Low/No Contamination Levels = High Quality Compost = Low Cost Hauling

Photo Credits: Gloucester Daily Times

The Process for Handling Contamination *Starts at School

1. School staff monitor

the compost bin

2. We inspect totes as they

get tipped into truck

3. We inspect truck load

when it gets dumped out

4. The finished compost

is screened

Challenges and Solutions

• Elementary Schools contaminate less then High School

• Sack lunches are loaded with contaminants, lots of wrappers and ziplock bags

• Paper trays are good, especially when everything else like knives, forks and cups are all compostable

• Cost of compostable supplies gets lower every year

Great Resources for Sustainable Schools

Farm Works Partner

Mehaffey Farm, Rowley, MA

Compost, Grow, Eat, repeat…

Thank You