2018 R3 Conference presentation by Gail Koutroubas of Andover Public Schools covering how the schools eliminated trays and advanced from recycling to composting in cafeterias.

1. Moving from Recycling
to Composting In School
Kitchens
GAIL KOUTROUBAS
DIRECTOR OF FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES
ANDOVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

2. Things To Consider
 Cost (paper goods, removal services, equipment)
 Equipment Needed
 Compost Pick Up Schedule
 Compost Outdoor Location
 Training for Staff and Students
 Compostable Product Selection & Ease for Students to Understand
 Custodial/Food Service Staff Responsibilities

3. Meal Costs
Foam Tray Lunch Cost Compostable Tray Lunch Cost
Foam Tray $0.03 Compostable Tray $0.08
Soup Bowl/Lid $0.06 Soup Bowl/Lid $0.09
Cutlery $0.04 Cutlery $0.04
Napkin $0.01 Napkin $0.01
Total $0.14 Total $0.22

4. 3 Year Cost Analysis:
Styrofoam vs. Compostable
School Year Level of Compostable Products Paper Costs
2015/2016 Styrofoam Trays $82,494
2016/2017 Compostable Trays Only $107,825
2017/2018 (through Jan 2018) Fully Compostable* $61,500
2017/2018 Year End Projection Fully Compostable* $123,000
*Fully compostable, with the exception of cutlery and straws.

5. Equipment
Each school must be equipped with the following in the
cafeteria:
 Liquid drain container
 Recycle barrel
 Compostable barrel
(with biodegradable bags)
 Trash barrel
 Signage showing pictures of what belongs in which barrel
(see right) 
Multiple station setups may be required in larger cafeterias
NOTE: Size for barrels will depend on size of school and custodial availability
(how often they can empty)
Each kitchen needs:
 Barrel for cardboard
 Recycling barrel
 Trash barrels
 Compost barrels
Number of barrels will be determined by kitchen size and setup

6. Training
 People in need of training:
 Custodians
 Food Services
 Best to have joint meeting with custodial and food services for clarity on job
descriptions as they often overlap
 Lunch Aids/Teachers/School Admin
 Students
 Training should be done at beginning of the year or after a vacation
 Difficult to train students on something new mid-year
 Standardized training works best (keeps consistency as students/staff change
schools)

7. Compost Pick-Up
 Compost material is emptied into large barrels that are provided
by the contracted compost carrier
 Trash & recycle pick up remain the same, however, trash pick up may be
reduced due to diversion to compost
 Outdoor compost barrels must be kept away from doors to the school and
covered; otherwise, rodents may become an issue
DPW Cost to Pick Up Compost (Andover):
 Average $44,000 annually
Includes pick up cost ~$36,000 per year
& related equipment (containers, biobags, etc.) ~$8,000 per year
Compost program start up costs ~ $15,000-20,000