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Composting at Triton. By: Devan Wanek. The Objective. The objective of our study was to analyze how much food is thrown away during a typical day during lunch at THS. We (Mrs. Horejsi’s environmental science class) collected refuse from the elementary, middle, and high school students.
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Composting at Triton By: Devan Wanek
The Objective • The objective of our study was to analyze how much food is thrown away during a typical day during lunch at THS. • We (Mrs. Horejsi’s environmental science class) collected refuse from the elementary, middle, and high school students. • Through our study we were able to determine how much food waste could otherwise be composted.
Procedure • We obtained 2 trash cans and a sliver ware tray. • One trash can was for compostable items, and the other was for refuse. The compostable items were: napkins, apple sauce, bread, tater tots, hash browns, fries, soup, and pizza. • We broke up into three groups of 4 to 6 people. The groups were: elementary, middle, and high school • We put on gloves. • We broke up into three groups of 2 people. • The first 2 people in the row took the compostable items off the tray. • The second 2 people in the row removed the sliver ware. • The last 2 people in the row dumped the remaining waste from the tray and stacked them on top of each other. • The weight of each trash can was recorded at the end of each lunch shift.
Analysis • The elementary students were unfortunately the most wasteful of the students. • Elementary students wasted more than middle and high school combined (however they also also represent a greater population of THS students). • The elementary wasted up to 233.5 pounds in one day, while the middle and high school only wasted 121 pounds! • The average elementary student wasted .44 pounds, while the average high schooler wasted only .15 pounds of food.
Conclusion • A composting program should be developed at THS. • This would be a win-win for from both an economic and environmental standpoint. • In doing this lab again, it would be interesting to also record the amount of recyclable trash (milk containers) that are otherwise generated during lunch as well.