Food Recycling Service for Schools

"Food to Flowers" is a lunchroom composting program that recycles leftover food scraps and food-soiled paper. Participating schools in Thurston County have reduced their kitchen and cafeteria waste by about 75 percent.

Students sort food and paper leftovers into various bins for composting and recycling. The organic materials are then sent to Silver Springs Organics, a state-of-the-art commercial composting facility located in Thurston County. At Silver Springs, the food and paper scraps are composted into a nutrient-rich, natural soil amendment.

To help schools launch their composting programs, Thurston County helps:

• Set up the initial sort lines.
• Conducts student assemblies.
• Trains staff and other participants.
• Provides signs and informational materials.

For more information about the Food to Flowers Program, contact Peter Guttchen of Thurston County Solid Waste at 709-3013 or e-mail guttchp@co.thurston.wa.us.

Questions:  Call Peter Guttchen, (360) 709-3013 or e-mail guttchp@co.thurston.wa.us

Last updated: 01/22/2010