Less to the Landfill

Hickman’s Biology club preformed an audit on the trash produced each day.

Last semester, various sports and clubs joined gloved hands and dove into the dumpsters behind Hickman. Just a regular “trash audit.” The goal was to evaluate the amount of trash regularly sent to the landfill that could instead be sent to recycling or put into a compost.

Groups from all parts of Hickman came out to help. Everyone was provided with some stylish gloves and smocks as they helped out. It took a few weeks after the original sorting, but the results are finally in!

The categories of trash included mixed containers which are containers made of multiple components, mixed fibers, food waste, napkins, pizza boxes, lunch trays, milk cartons, and other waste products.

In the end, it was determined that the mixed containers and mixed fibers could be recycled while food waste could be put into a compost pile. Much of the waste at Hickman is food waste which could be easily made into compost. Compost is decayed organic material that can be used for plant fertilization. It enriches soil and helps suppress plant disease and pests.

 

What does it mean?

Of the (approximately) 580 pounds of waste Hickman produces every day, 49.35% of it could be sent to recycling or a compost, yet all 100% of it currently goes to the landfill.

 

How do we get there?

1. Participate
2. Educate
3. Advocate

 

What are the plans for the future?

Hopefully, at some point Hickman will be able to send 61% of it’s waste to recycling or a compost by switching to recyclable pizza boxes and compostable lunch trays.