School Composting
The Department of Public Works is committed to supporting Brookline Public Schools in launching and/or expanding school compost programs. As of the 2022-2023 school year, Brookline High School and Lincoln School have established composting programs. Heath School is re-launching their student council-led pilot in early 2023. Based on school interest and DPW staff capacity, the DPW Zero Waste team will support 1-2 additional schools each semester that are ready to launch a school compost program. If you are interested in launching a school compost program at your school, please contact the DPW's Zero Waste Program at [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Brookline’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is looking for community volunteers to help continue this important work and assist students sorting their waste during lunch. No previous experience with composting or waste sorting necessary! Interested? Read on below! If you have any questions, please contact the Town of Brookline’s DPW at [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Support BHS's Compost Program
School Compost Guide
In Summer and Fall of 2022, the Department of Public Works collaborated with a number of advisors to develop a School Compost Guide. This document is intended to serve as a detailed implementation plan to support Brookline Public Schools in launching and/or expanding compost programs in partnership with the DPW. The School Compost Guide is a living document and will continue to be updated as school compost programs are developed and information is gathered.
Resources:
- Waste Audit Instructions: Basic Waste Audit and Detailed Waste Audit
- Compost Assessment Survey
- Waste Reduction Pledge and Certificate
- Template Letter to Administration
- School Compost Guide “At a Glance” Summaries for Teachers, Students, and Administrators
- Composting F.A.Q.
- Waste Station Signage
- Back-of-House Multilingual Signage (English, Spanish, Haitian Creole)
- Black Earth Compost: Accepted Materials Guide
- Community Volunteer Memo Example
- Educational Books (Sorted by Grade)
- Educational Videos (Sorted by Grade)
- Composting Glossary
- Video Tour of Black Earth Compost Facility
- Recycling Sorting Facility Video Tour
- Brookline High School Waste Sorting Video, developed by Brookline High School students and BHS parent, Jon Stahl
School Compost Guide Advisors
The development of this guide was supported by 21 advisors, including food services staff, custodial staff, teachers, students, administrators, parents/guardians, Solid Waste Advisory Committee members, and members of Brookline's Mothers Out Front. We greatly appreciate the support and input of the following advisors:
- Ed Clancy, Supervisor of Custodians for Public Schools of Brookline
- Deane Coady, Brookline Mothers Out Front & Solid Waste Advisory Committee Member
- Eric Colburn, BHS Teacher
- John Dempsey, Solid Waste Advisory Committee Chair
- Amy Gasparetto, Parent of Driscoll School Student
- Richi Garcia Puig, BHS Student
- Matt Gillis, Director of Operations and Facilities for Public Schools of Brookline
- Roger Grande, BHS Teacher
- Daphne Jones, Heath School Student
- Ezra Kleinbaum, BHS Student
- Hal Mason, BHS Assistant Head of School
- Lesley Ryan Miller, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching & Learning for Public Schools of Brookline
- Sarah Murphy, Heath School Student
- Kirtan Patel, Vice Principal of Heath School
- Sasha Palmer, Food Services Director for Public Schools of Brookline
- Isabella Sharooz, Heath School Student
- Jon Stahl, BHS Parent
- Francesca Stark, Driscoll School Teacher
- Emily Speck, K-8 Science Curriculum Coordinator for Public Schools of Brookline
- Lily Yu, Brookline Mothers Out Front
- Sue Zobel, Lincoln School Teacher
Town of Brookline Website