DCCI school Programs

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The Food Waste Reduction Pilot Program, is designed to  engage students in the food waste reduction and prevention  process through a year-long program. The program provides students the opportunity to participate in the scientific process and spark cross curricular engagement. By tailoring the program to your school, we can best meet your school's needs and students. 

The program includes a student-engaged cafeteria waste audit in both the fall  ( for baseline data) and spring (to asses campaign impact). Additionally, the  DCCI program director  will work with your staff and students to develop a school-specific food waste reduction campaign. The campaign will consist of implementing  your students' vision, which may include activities such as student-designed posters, peer educational tabling in the cafeteria by trash bins, starting a food-share shelf, food donations, and composting.

Each school participating in this program will have the option to add an onsite composting program as well.

DCCI provides schools with technical assistance, funding, training, and marketing to launch an onsite composting program. 

School composting programs are essential to students understanding the importance of reducing food waste and closing the loop on the food system. Students engage in experiential learning by participating in the entire composting process ( food scrap collection in the cafeteria, active composting in bins onsite, and the use of finished compost in school gardens/grounds). 

In addition to the many learning benefits, school composting programs can:

• Reduce food waste going to the landfill, thus reducing methane emissions and the school's carbon footprint
• Reduce waste hauling and mulch/fertilizer  costs
• Provide schools with a nutrient-rich soil enhancer to use instead of fertilizer in and around school grounds and gardens
• Offer An opportunity to educate and engage with the local community

Currently DCCI is developing composting programs for Frear Elementary and Wilmington Friends High School.