Redirecting Food Waste to Local Farms

Big things are sprouting from small leftovers at Orcas Island High School. Instead of launching a composting program this spring, the school is partnering with the Orcas Island Food Bank to divert uneaten cafeteria food from the landfill, straight into the bellies of local farm animals.

Thanks to the generosity and support of Amanda Sparks, Executive Director of the Orcas Island Food Bank, student volunteers will be collecting daily leftovers and will deliver them to the food bank at the start of the next school year. From there, the food will be distributed to farms around the island where it can be safely used as animal feed, keeping it out of the waste stream entirely.

“This is a great example of our community coming together to find smart, sustainable solutions,” says Asifa Pasin, Board member at Orcas Recycling Services. She credits senior Solianna Halabisky, graduating president of the Environmental Club, for getting the wheels turning and reaching out to us.

Students will earn community service hours for their volunteer work. The project is being supported by both Mrs. Alperin and Pasin (representing Orcas Recycling Services and The Exchange). They will assist Stella Dillard, newly elected Environmental Club president, set up the volunteer system at the beginning of year.

Once the high school program is running smoothly, the goal will be to expand efforts to include the Middle School. As for the Elementary students, there’s already potential for an on-site composting solution that supports the school garden.

With help from the Food Bank and local farms, students are using their creativity to make sure food waste doesn’t go to waste. All food waste rescued from the landfill will be tracked, reported, and shared with the Exchange, the Food Bank, the High School and San Juan Sanitation.

It’s conscious steps like this that improves our community and moves the island closer to Zero Waste.