An Environmental Action Project Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kitsap
Overview
In a nutshell, food waste thrown into the landfill produces methane; a lot of it. In fact, about 20% of the methane emissions in the United States are the result of methane gas emissions from landfills.
Want to be a part of a local solution for reducing food waste in Kitsap? We invite you to participate.
The Problem
Most of us have learned about the environmental impacts of certain foods – like the energy and water needed to produce and transport things like beef and almonds. However, the impacts of the food we don’t eat – our food waste – can be even more dramatic. Food waste that goes into a landfill produces methane gas – the most potent greenhouse gas – as it begins to decompose. In the United States, 20% of all methane emissions come from food waste.
The good news is that there are options for how to reduce the impacts associated with the nearly 800,000 tons of food waste (14% of the total waste) generated in Washington state alone. If food waste is collected and composted, we can effectively ‘recycle’ this organic matter instead of handling it as waste. As of 2022, Kitsap County requires that organic material – including yard and food waste – collection services be made available to all residents. However, this service comes with an additional fee and not all businesses and residents choose to pay for this service. Small-scale food waste reduction and composting systems could play a vital role in minimizing the methane emissions associated with landfilled organic matter.
The Challenge
Create and implement a solution for a restaurant, school, or other small facility that doesn’t currently have a reasonable way to compost or otherwise dispose of food waste in a manner that will not produce methane. In crafting your solution, your group should:
- Describe (using data) the specific food waste problem you are addressing
- Explain your specific solution–the more details, the better! (This can be an expansion of an existing program as well!)
- Measure the impacts of your solution; quantify how much your solution will reduce methane gas production
- Describe how you would implement your solution
- Identify and contact local government and/or businesses within your target location to aid you in putting your solution into action, including any funding that will be necessary.
- Include a list of departments and/or agencies that would partner with your facility/entity and/or be willing to contribute to project costs
- Letters of approval from a leader at your target facility are strongly recommended
Presentation
A tabletop poster explaining the solution (no larger than 48 inches wide by 36 inches tall) is required for each entry. In addition, entrants will prepare a 5-minute oral presentation to share their ideas with the public. No specific format is required for either.
Eligible Participants
Students in the following age groups:
- Middle School (grades 6-8)
- High School and above (grades 9-12+)
Participants may work individually or in a small group of up to 5 students.
Awards
Qualified First, Second, and Third place winners will be determined by a panel of judges with expertise in community engagement and environmental science. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the qualified winners in each age group in the following amounts:
- First Place: $1000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
Timeline
Entrants must submit initial proposal forms by Monday, October 31, 2022 at 5:00 pm.
Public presentations will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 at the Silverdale Library meeting room at 3:30 pm.
Questions?
You can submit questions about the program here.
Sign Up
Sign up here by October 31, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (This is the deadline for initial proposals, not for the full project, which is due in February.)
