Community Corner
Mayor Burke Launches Zero Waste Assessment In Medford Public Schools
Mayor Burke is happy to address their concerns by exploring the feasibility of establishing composting district-wide.
Posted on October 15, 2019
Mayor Burke Launches Zero Waste Assessment In Medford Public Schools
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Mayor Burke is excited to begin a Zero Waste Assessment of Medford Public Schools, kickstarted by a technical assistance grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
For many years, students of the Medford Public Schools have been advocating for composting programs to reduce waste in the school’s cafeterias. Mayor Burke is happy to address their concerns by exploring the feasibility of establishing composting district-wide. Based on early conversations with the Massachusetts DEP, the Mayor believes that the best way to go about this is through an evaluation of the waste streams of the school district as a whole.
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Through this project, in the spring of 2020, Medford High School & Vocational Technical High School will participate in a pilot program to determine the feasibility of cafeteria composting. This will be a coordinated effort with student members of the Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (CCSR), who secured grant funds last year to pursue a school composting program.
The Zero Waste Assessment will seek to better understand the amount and types of waste generated by Medford Public Schools, as well as research and analyze the financial and logistical requirements to streamline the current recycling system and adopt new systems such as commercial composting. At the conclusion of the program, findings will be shared with the district and recommendations will be made for future action.
“I am excited about this assessment to begin, spearheaded by our new Zero Waste Coordinator – Retta Smith. I am confident Retta’s previous work with Medford Public Schools and as an MPS parent will bring an important perspective to this assessment that will create a large and lasting impact for Medford. I believe she will be a great person to partner with the state on this initiative.”
Find more information on the Zero Waste Assessment, contact Retta Smith through the Office of Energy and Environment at 781-393-2137.
This press release was produced by City of Medford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
