Rhode Island School Recycling Project announced it received $750,000 in grants to help every elementary school launch a student-led food waste recycling program. Students and leaders gathered at Raymond LaPerche Elementary School cafeteria in Smithfield to announce the grants.
鈥淭housands of elementary school students will be able to play crucial roles extending the life of the Central Landfill and significantly reducing their schools鈥� carbon footprint. And the best part? It鈥檚 being done by students with help from great custodians, cafeteria staff and teachers,鈥� said RISRP co-Director Jim Corwin.
According to officials, the project aims to extend the life of state鈥檚 only landfill by cafeteria food waste to other environmentally friendly uses. 鈥淭his is a very simple and inexpensive way to divert healthy, edible food to food insecure students and at the same time divert the remaining food waste to be composted. This lengthens the life of the landfill and reduces the amount of methane going into our atmosphere. Lastly, it reduces student anxiety about a warming planet and provides them leadership opportunities in their schools,鈥� RISRP Organizing Director Warren Heyman said.