Every elementary school in Newport County could soon have student-led cafeteria food waste recycling programs thanks to $750,000 in grants awarded to a Rhode Island nonprofit. The Rhode Island School Recycling Project will use the funding to expand its Get Food Smart program, which is already operating at Pell Elementary School in Newport, to elementary schools throughout the state, including those in Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Little Compton and Tiverton.
The initiative aims to divert hundreds of tons of cafeteria food waste from the Central Landfill in Johnston to composting and other environmentally friendly uses. The project prioritizes redirecting edible, healthy food to food insecure students and their families before composting remaining waste.
鈥淓lementary school students will be able to play crucial roles extending the life of the Central Landfill and significantly reducing their schools鈥� carbon footprint,鈥� said Jim Corwin, co-director of the Rhode Island School Recycling Project. 鈥淎nd the best part? It will be done by students with help from great custodians, cafeteria staff and teachers.鈥�