A local elementary school's green plans have landed it a grant to expand
its composting program. Grocery store chain Metro Ontario Inc. has awarded
Princess Elizabeth Public School $1,000 through its Green
Apple School Program.
The money will be used to double the school's vermicomposting efforts,
which uses worms to turn food waste into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer
and soil conditioner.
"It's really exciting because it lets us expand our vermicomposting
program and have a couple of presentations as well to let kids know
about how the program works," said Jane Lightle one of the teachers
helping to organize the initiative. "This will let us get another
three up and going and do presentations for about 100 kids."
Last year, the school launched a food waste collection program. At
the end of the day, a team of students collects bins of food waste from
each classroom. They dump the contents into a central green bin.
Currently, most of the food waste generated by students and staff goes
to the curb and is taken away for composting. The grant will allow more
of that waste to be turned into compost at the school for use in its
gardens.
Lightle said she's been doing vermicomposting at different schools
she's taught at during the last 10 years and, it's always a big hit.
"My kids love it," she said.
Princess Elizabeth was one of 168 schools across the province whose
efforts to reduce their environmental footprint were rewarded during
the first
round of grants handed out by the company.
Links:
More funding information
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