IslandWood Food Waste Facts

By having a scale, Wade, in the dining hall in which food waste is weighed at the conclusion of the meal, the center is calling attention to food waste. Furthermore, the attention is directed towards reduction, as visiting school groups are encouraged to try and reduce the amount of food waste they create during their visit. The compost and worm bins are also used and discussed as a means of recycling, therefore minimizing the amount of waste the center sends to the local landfill. By raising awareness and educating students about food waste and compost and through the use of the compost and worm bins, IslandWood has decreased the amount of food waste generated on the site.

IslandWood's compost bin was donated by Michael Bryan-Brown. It is used to decompose plant material discarded from the dining hall. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms into a humus-like product. In order to decrease unwanted odors and the amount of time it takes for material to be broken down, IslandWood only composts plant material. The maintenance staff keeps our compost bin well-regulated. This entails keeping the temperature between 132 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the moisture content between 40% to 60%, and adequate carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios are regulated by adding yard waste and wood shavings in order to equal out the high nitrogen content of food waste. Food waste is added to IslandWood's compsot bin alomost everyday. After a few months, the compost is ready to use. At IslandWood, the compost is used to condition the soil in the organic garden, improving texture, air circulation, and drainage. Furthermore, compost helps moderate soil temperature, enhances nutrient and water holding capacities, decreases erosion, inhibits weed growth, and suppresses some plant pathogens.

The worm bin was purchased by IslandWood from the Kingston Worm Farm to supplement the compost bin. Vermicomposting is the controlled break down of organic materials by worms, specifically red wigglers, into rich humus. One pound of worms can eat approximately 1/2 pound of food each day! Vermiculture bins can range in size from a window shelf box to a large bin like the one we have on campus. These bins must be kept aerated and have sufficient soil and moist bedding, such as newspaper. In order to maintain the bins, the IslandWood maintenance staff regulates the system by keeping the temperature between 55-80 degrees Fahrenheit, pH between 5.5-8.0, and moisture content between 75-90%. Food waste, excluding meat, dairy, oils, and citrus, is added continually to keep our worms fed. Because worms double in population approximately every 60 to 90 days, IslandWood is planning on harvesting its excess worms. It usually takes red wigglers about four or five months to convert a significant amount of waste and bedding into nutrient rich castings (worm excrement). All of what a worm eats becomes a worm casting. Worm castings contain a high percentage of humus which will slowly nurture the plants in the IslandWood garden when mixed with the soil.