Organic waste from food scraps, as well as lawn and yard trimmings, accounts for at least one third of school garbage. Schools can save significantly on their waste hauling budgets by recycling and composting organic waste.
Composting is a natural way to recycle. Children learn about ecology, biology and waste reduction through basic composting: brown or green waste and/or vermi-composting… composting with worms!
If composting on-site is not feasible, you can contract with a local hauler to collect food scraps and yard waste and still get the benefits of waste reduction
Resources
City of San José
Environmental Services Department
200 E. Santa Clara Street, 10th Floor Tower, San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 975-2554
sjgreenschools@sanjoseca.gov
www.sjrecycles.org/residents/home_compost.org
Offers materials and support for compost bin start-up, as well as subsidized compost bins.
Master Composters
Home Composting Education Program
County of Santa Clara
1553 Berger Dr. Building 1
San Jose, Ca 95112
Rotline: (408) 918-4640
Sarah.Smith@aem.sccgov.org
Compost@aem.sccgov.org
www.reducewaste.org
Offers compost bins with worms, initial trainings, ongoing assistance, and follow-up visits to check bin health.
Master Gardener Program
University of California Extension Services
1553 Berger Drive, Building 1
San José, CA 95112
(408) 282-3105 Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(650) 329-1356 Fridays only from 1-4 p.m. except in winter
Email your questions at www.mastergardeners.org/email.html
www.mastergardeners.org/scc.html
Gardening Hotline and tips, videos and publications, classes for elementary, secondary and high schools, diagnosis, events, and expert advice providing answers to gardening questions. Staffed by Master Gardeners who are trained volunteers.
Jerry Gach
(408) 227-5267
www.TheWormDude.com
The Worm Dude sells worms, bins, castings, books, and gardening supplies. Jerry Gach is a preferred worm breeder for the State of California, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, San Mateo County, and the City of San Jose.
Sonoma Valley Worm Farm
1280 Sperring Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
Jack and Lois Chambers
(800) 447-6996
www.sonomavalleyworms.com
Produces and sells redworms, vermicompost, castings, and worm tea.
Foothill Worm Ranch
7190 Foothill Road
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Matt Abbruscato: (925) 484-4192
matt@foothillwormranch.com
www.foothillwormranch.com
Produces and sells redworms and castings.
