In a groundbreaking initiative, schools across Northeast Ohio are transforming food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, merging sustainability with student engagement. This effort, led by Rust Belt Riders (RBR), a worker-owned cooperative, involves about 5,000 households and 300 commercial businesses in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. The program not only diverts food waste from landfills but also educates students on the importance of environmental stewardship.
The journey of food scraps begins in school lunchrooms, where students and staff collect food waste. Each week, RBR picks up the scraps and transports them to a processing partner in Lorain County. There, the food waste undergoes thermophilic static composting a process that involves piling the scraps to decompose. As the scraps break down, they release nutrients and generate heat, reaching temperatures of at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature ensures that any weeds, seeds, or pathogens are eliminated, resulting in nutrient-rich soil within three to six months. RBR’s brand, Tilth Soil is then used for various purposes, including garden beds, house plants, and farming.
Creating a Circular Economy
RBR’s composting program exemplifies a circular economy where food scraps are transformed into valuable resources. For instance, Heinens, a local grocery store chain, provides RBR with thousands of pounds of food scraps weekly. These scraps are composted and turned into soil, which is then supplied to local Amish farms. The produce grown on these farms eventually returns to Heinens’ shelves, completing the cycle. This process not only reduces waste but also educates students on the interconnectedness of food production and consumption.
Parma City Schools have embraced this concept wholeheartedly. The district employs a Farm to School Coordinator Brittnee Rourke, who oversees various initiatives, including menu development, taste tests, classroom cooking, outdoor gardens, and composting. With 12 schools in the district, Rourke highlights the interconnectedness of these projects. For example, Dentzler Elementary School students compost their lunch scraps, and the resulting Tilth Soil is used in the outdoor gardens at Green Valley Elementary and Pleasant Valley Elementary. Students at these schools will grow produce in the soil created from their composted scraps, fostering a deeper understanding of the food cycle.
Student-Driven Initiatives
Student involvement is a cornerstone of these composting programs. At John Marshall High School in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), students from the Environmental Club launched a composting initiative this spring. The project began in 2026 when three AP Environmental Science students conducted research, completed a waste audit, and presented their findings to school administrators. Despite initial challenges, including costs and administrative hurdles, the students successfully launched their program on May 1, 2026.
The initiative has not only reduced food waste but also transformed the school’s lunchroom culture. Student compost monitors collect food waste from every student, and participants sign up for shifts, fulfilling district graduation requirements. The program has sparked a broader interest in sustainability, with students focusing on reducing food waste and even collecting uneaten packaged food to share with others. This holistic approach demonstrates how composting can be integrated into the school curriculum and culture.
Community and Educational Benefits
Composting programs in Northeast Ohio schools extend beyond environmental benefits. They also foster a sense of global citizenship among students. Dr. Christine Palumbo, assistant superintendent of Lakewood City Schools, highlights composting as an achievable way for even young students to contribute to global sustainability. Lakewood High School, Grant Elementary, and Hayes Elementary all run composting programs in their cafeterias, with plans to expand to other buildings.
Shaker Heights School District has also embraced composting, with all five elementary schools participating in the program. The district diverted 9.73 tons of food waste in 2026, thanks to the efforts of staff and students. RBR provided training on composting, and the program has been sustained through ongoing education and the support of custodial and food service teams. Additionally, each elementary school serves as a community drop-off site for composting, paid for by the city and available to all Shaker residents.
Launching a school-wide composting initiative requires significant support and planning. Dave Boyer and Sean Brown, director and assistant director of buildings and grounds with the Shaker Heights School District, emphasize the importance of managing the program and coordinating with various teams. They note that the program would not be possible without the consistent support and oversight of custodial and food service teams, who ensure that the compost bins are free from contamination.
RBR operates 52 drop-off points throughout Cuyahoga County, offering composting services for $12 per month. The cities of Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Beachwood provide composting as a service at no charge to residents, making it accessible to a wider community. This initiative not only benefits the environment but also educates students and the community on the importance of sustainability and waste reduction.
