We had so many great entries for the Spring 2024 Waste Not Want Not Challenge it was hard to choose. Thank you to all of the teams for the great work!
Junior Submissions are for 5th-8th grade classes, and we had 2 winning teams!
Team: Food Saving Society
Teacher: Mary Jakovickas
School: Fairmont Elementary
This team created a food waste reduction system. They wanted to find a solution to wasted fresh food from the cafeteria and discovered that a freeze-dryer could take the wasted food and turn it into freeze-dried food that is shelf-stable for many years! While funding for a freeze-dryer is still underway, the team participated in a "Shark Tank" challenge and presented their idea and business plan. They were even able to present to real professionals from Ugly Fruit Co. who in turn gave a presentation of their own on how to help reduce food waste.
Team: The Environmentalists
Teacher: Amy Truemper
School: Bednarcik Junior High School
The Environmentalist teams started their project with a survey and food audit to understand the main food waste problem at their school. The answer? Wasted juice and milk cartons. They wanted to then find a use for the wasted cartons. They realized that the cartons would be useful for growing plants in the 7th-grade science classes. This also allowed for teachers to not have to buy seed containers. They were also able to grow peas in their carton planters to see their recycled product in action!
Senior submissions are for 9th-12th grade classes and we had one senior winner!
Team: Greenery Gobblers
Teacher: Heather Evans
School: Redding Christian High School
The Redding Christian FFA Chapter set out to find a more convenient way for people to reduce organic waste. They aimed to do this by creating a contact-free, scent-covered, easy-to-use green waste collector that is not only accessible but also encourages people to compost. This led them to create the Greenery Gobbler!
The Greenery Gobbler is a compostable paper bag lined with soy wax, which is biodegradable and keeps moisture from soaking through. The bag is also lined with natural oils to hide the smell. The bag is placed in a countertop bin that allows for "no-touch" composting. The team even came up with a logo for their product!
Thanks again to all of the participating teams. Look out for the next fall challenge, Save the Soil!