The Students for Climate Action here at RAHS is a club dedicated to promoting sustainability at RAHS and creating a more environmentally conscious space in the community. The group has been working on projects relating to food waste management. One being a solid waste audit and the food for hogs project.
Chiara Carignan (12) a prime member of this club explained how these projects work. She said, “We did a solid waste audit two weeks ago. This is when we look at the garbage and recycling in our building to see if any contamination is occurring. Basically, to see if anything is in the recycling that can’t be recycled and if people are throwing away recyclable materials, then we know where improvement and/or education is needed before we implement some new waste management strategies over the next few years.”
Carignan also explains a similar project, being the food for hogs program. She said, “We had a mock food for hogs stand in the cafeteria last week to see how well students responded to it and how well food was sorted. The Food for Hogs program has been working for a long time at the Roseville Elementary schools.”
Carignan explained that the program has not been able to make its way to RAHS or RAMS yet, this is mainly due to COVID.
Part of these projects is having trials to make sure the program works; Carignan added, “We did this food for hogs trial to help us see how things run without any changes in strategy or education before food for hogs is introduced at RAMS next year and at RAHS in two years.”
Carignan explained why the group chose to focus on food waste, “Improving our recycling sorting and sending our food waste to food for hogs will reduce how much waste gets sent to the incinerator. This produces less emissions and more land is available because less is needed to produce food for the pigs.”
Another active member of this club, tenth grader Julia Enholm, shared how this program might impact our local environment. Not only will it of course reduce food waste, but it will “instead go to farmers who can use the food waste in a more efficient and sustainable way.” According to Enholm.
Veronica Billing (10) another dedicated member of this club, shared a similar sentiment about improving the school sustainability, “ it will reduce waste from leftover food generated by our school and help us lessen our ecological footprint.”
There might be a few issues glinting into the program initially, said Engholm and in her opinion “the program is flexible enough to adapt while on the journey.” emphasizing that this is very doable for our school! Billing agrees when students understand the program and its goals, they will be likely to participate.”It will motivate students to work harder to make our school as sustainable as possible.”
Both Engholm and Billing agree that this program is for students to participate in and contribute to helping the environment. Enghom explains “every student will be able to contribute and follow through with Food for Hogs.” Billing agrees that being able to see the effects of the program first hand will encourage participation.
As stated previously, taking part in this action is very easy for students to do. If you’re interested in making a positive impact on the community and creating a more sustainable environment, as well as meeting new people, this club is an excellent opportunity to do so. The Students for Climate Action meets Wednesday morning at 8:10am at the district center across from RAHS, new members are always welcome!
