Did you know that New Jersey currently operates 12 landfills? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency's Landfill Methane Outreach Program statistics, by the time today's kindergarteners graduate high school in 2038, that number will dwindle to just 5. Faced with shrinking landfill capacity, New Jersey along with other states on the East Coast transport excess waste to Midwestern and Southern states, a practice that consumes fossil fuels and further harms our environment. It's clear that we can't continue to rely on finding new places for our trash. Instead, we must confront the problem at its source by drastically reducing our waste. And where better to start than in our schools?
Schools are one of the largest producers of food waste, primarily due to their cafeteria operations. In fact, food waste in the U.S. has soared to over 50% more than what was wasted in the 1970s, amounting to a staggering cost of $218 billion annually. Yet, this happens in a country where 42 million people still face food insecurity. This paradox highlights the urgent need for effective waste diversion strategies in schools.
Aside from the clear environmental benefits, managing food waste in schools can serve as a powerful educational tool. Engaging students in waste reduction efforts through clubs, composting activities, and hands-on learning in school gardens teaches them to value food and understand the impact of waste. These lessons often extend beyond the classroom, as students share what they’ve learned with their families, creating a broader community impact. Instilling these habits early fosters a lifelong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
To address this pressing issue, Bowfish Kids is launching a bold new initiative: "Re-Localizing Food Waste — Feeding Our Soils, Not Our Landfills, Locally." Our mission is to answer a new question: How can we divert food waste from landfills and redirect it to farmers, enriching their soil while reducing landfill use and cutting down on carbon emissions? Our approach aims to develop community-level partnerships between waste generators (like schools) and local farmers, utilizing advanced subterranean composting systems and time-tested agricultural practices.
This initiative tackles three critical problems:
As of 2024, there are 1,265 active landfills in the U.S., with an average closure date projected around 2063. Shockingly, 25% of municipal solid waste consists of food. Yet, with minimal effort, this waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich soil. The world loses three centimeters of topsoil every 1,000 years, and a UN report has warned that we may have only 60 years of farmable topsoil left. Farmers, who directly feel the impact of soil degradation, are well aware of the need for more fertile land. What if every farm could have its own composting system that not only manages waste but also revitalizes the soil and provides a new revenue stream?
The current trend towards large-scale waste management and composting solutions has proven costly and inefficient. At a recent composting summit, discussions centered around expensive, large-scale facilities, with entry costs often exceeding $1 million. Such high barriers deter community-based composting efforts. At Bowfish Kids, we believe in thinking small—focusing on localized, cost-effective solutions that empower communities rather than overwhelm them with top-down mandates.
Our concept achieves several objectives:
While there are nearly 2,000 operational landfills in the U.S., there are fewer than 200 large-scale compost facilities. Subterranean composting systems, particularly those designed for community gardens or small farms, offer a promising alternative. Installed underground, these systems avoid the issues associated with traditional compost piles, such as odor, pests, and air quality concerns. They also support vermicomposting, a process that adds essential nutrients to the soil.
Our plan will begin with a pilot project set to launch in a single classroom during the spring semester of the upcoming 2025 school year. This initial phase will focus on familiarizing students with the composting system, empowering them to independently manage composting tasks, and instilling a deeper understanding of the environmental impact of their waste. As these students become proficient and recognize the importance of responsible waste diversion, we will extend our outreach to engage their parents and the broader community.
Armed with data from this pilot project, we plan to apply for a federal grant aimed at helping municipalities reduce landfill waste. The grant funding will enable us to expand the initiative across multiple grade levels within Ocean City schools and attract interested community members.
New Jersey is particularly well-suited for this initiative, especially in light of the 2021 Food Waste Recycling and Food Waste-to-Energy Production Law. This legislation mandates that large food waste producers within 25 road miles of an authorized recycling facility must separate and recycle their waste.
At Bowfish Kids, we are dedicated to reshaping waste management practices, starting right here in the Garden State. Together, we can reduce waste, enrich our soils, and foster a culture of sustainability for generations to come.
Join us on this journey to create a greener future for all!
