North Andover schools report 110,000 pounds diverted; green teams recognized for cafeteria composting

The North Andover School Committee recognized district “green teams” and presented a three-year account of an expanded cafeteria waste-diversion and composting program that now serves every school.

Joanna O’Connell, who leads North Andover Green Schools, told the committee the district now diverts roughly 3,000 pounds of food waste and compostable trays per week and uses the finished compost in school gardens. O’Connell thanked Food Services director Erica Murphy and custodial staff for replacing Styrofoam trays with compostable ware; she estimated the program cut weekly trash-bag use by roughly 50–60 bags districtwide and produced approximately 110,000 pounds of compostable material over the school year.

Presentations from custodians and building green-team leaders described student volunteers’ work stacking trays, sorting organics, running school gardens and using returned compost to plant flowers and vegetables. Atkinson, Franklin, Kittredge and Sargent schools, among others, reported student volunteers and staff using compost to enrich planters and maintain gardens. ABECC noon attendants now manage composting there because many students still eat in classrooms; custodial staff supported collection and maintenance.

Committee members praised the program’s student engagement and the cross-department cooperation that allowed compost to be returned and used on school grounds. The committee accepted the recognition and asked the administration to continue reporting results as the program expands.