Plate to Garden: Raise money and educate about organics composting
The organics collected at your school are taken to a large-scale compost facility that turns them into a rich soil amendment called compost. The Plate to Garden Compost Program, through the Minnesota Composting Council, is an education program and fundraiser that teaches students, staff and community members about the benefits of composting and using finished compost.
Participating schools pay a flat fee to have bulk compost and bags delivered. The community is then invited to buy the compost to raise money for the school. Students and volunteers fill the collection bags with compost during the event and talk about how food waste becomes a wonderful resource.
The program completes the loop of growing food, eating food and turning food scraps back into soil to grow food again.
Learn more and sign up your school or district to participate – it is a great way to celebrate Earth Day in April or International Compost Awareness week in May.
Take action on Earth Day
Use these helpful resources and toolkits to engage a student environmental group at your school to plan an Earth Day activity:
▪ Grades of Green
▪ Dem Con Green Grades
▪ Earth Day Network
▪ Environmental Protection Agency
▪ Green Strides
If you are looking for additional projects or need more information, email the School Recycling Program Coordinator.