Every elementary school in Newport County could soon have student-led cafeteria food waste recycling programs thanks to $750,000 in grants awarded to a Rhode Island nonprofit.
The Rhode Island School Recycling Project will use the funding to expand its Get Food Smart program, which is already operating at Pell Elementary School in Newport, to elementary schools throughout the state, including those in Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Little Compton and Tiverton.
The initiative aims to divert hundreds of tons of cafeteria food waste from the Central Landfill in Johnston to composting and other environmentally friendly uses. The project prioritizes redirecting edible, healthy food to food insecure students and their families before composting remaining waste.
“Elementary school students will be able to play crucial roles extending the life of the Central Landfill and significantly reducing their schools’ carbon footprint,” said Jim Corwin, co-director of the Rhode Island School Recycling Project. “And the best part? It will be done by students with help from great custodians, cafeteria staff and teachers.”
The program is expected to reduce municipal landfill fees while providing leadership opportunities for students.
11th Hour Racing, a Newport-based organization focused on sustainable solutions for ocean and community health, awarded $250,000. The Rhode Island Foundation contributed $500,000, aligning with its new Climate Action and Sustainability Community Priority.
“This project gives Rhode Island students a hands-on role in tackling one of our state’s biggest environmental challenges — food waste,” said Michelle Carnavale, president of 11th Hour Racing.
David N. Cicilline, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, noted that food waste decomposing in landfills releases methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting, he said, produces oxygen and creates compost that enriches soil and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.
“Let’s be the first state in the nation to have all their elementary schools composting food waste,” Cicilline said.
Warren Heyman, organizing director for the Rhode Island School Recycling Project, said the initiative reduces student anxiety about climate change while providing leadership opportunities.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the state’s largest nonprofit funder.