With the recent move of the composting bin into the cafeteria, students have raised questions about its purpose. The Horticulture Club, which manages the composting and gardening process at school, is behind this change. Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into fertilizer for soil and plants.

Regarding the club’s composting program, members work towards reducing food waste, especially with students who do not finish lunch. They compost unfinished food scraps and then use that composted material for the garden, which is better for the environment than standard fertilizers. 

In an interview with the GH Falcon, club leader Alvin Liu (’25) stated, “The best way to help is just to reduce food waste, which is really simple. Just eat your food. However, it’s understandable that not everyone finishes their meal, which is what we’re here for. Volunteering is another great way to help.” 

Liu explained, “The compost bin is available on Fridays during lunch. There will be two to three volunteers asking people to throw compostable material into the specific trash can.” The items that can go in this bin include green and brown material, which is anything considered vegan, such as fruits and vegetables. Contents that shouldn’t go in this bin include meat, dairy products, oil, fatty foods, and plastics. 

Statistics suggest that prioritizing recycling waste and setting composting initiatives, not just in school but outside of school, can benefit the country’s environmental footprint. When asked why composting is necessary for the community, club leader Coco Pannell (’23) stated, “America has more food waste than some of the most populated countries in the world, more than the top five most populated countries combined. Composting is a great way to take what we get from the earth and give it back.” 

As more people join the Horticulture Club, it brings awareness of ways to work toward a clean environment. People involved can develop practices to reduce waste in their households as well. “Gardening inside the club and outside of school are all amazing ways students can help work towards the goals of the horticulture club. What we love to hear is that students have started gardening or composting programs at their homes and communities,” stated Pannell.