Cat Buxton of Grow More Waste Less developed UVSCP after working closely with schools to identify the barriers and opportunities of managing food scraps on site.

In 2007, Cat founded the garden and composting program at Thetford Elementary School. Today, that program processes over 6,000 lbs of residuals annually, saving the school from $1,000 to $3,000 in waste disposal fees every year. Overall, the school has reduced waste by 75% since program inception. The program is entirely managed by fifth and sixth graders in a self-replicating format (each grade trains the next).

Students start seeds, grow food and flowers, collect food scraps, and manage the composting system that feeds and sustains raised beds, pollinator gardens, a patch of raspberries and summer blueberries, five apple trees, a peach tree, and two pear trees. Students collect data to ensure the compost system stays on track and also examine that data in their math and science lessons. Thetford’s success was an inspiration to seek ways to support composting at other schools.

As director of the Super Compost Project, Cat continues to be a vital and driving force in school composting, promoting long-term success and integration.