The state of Michigan aims to cut its food waste in half by 2030. A crucial part of meeting this goal is the education of young people about the importance of this matter in their daily lives. In Southeast Michigan, especially, food waste reduction plays a significant role in extending the lifespan of local landfills and reducing waste hauling costs. Canton Township has begun its journey towards reducing food waste by implementing compost drop-off sites throughout the community.

This project focused on the implementation of food waste reduction practices in Plymouth Canton Community Schools (P-CCS). CLC Fellow Mateo Garcia conducted a food waste audit and wrote a report outlining next steps to support P-CCS as its leaders review existing sustainability initiatives, and recommendations to incorporate into their revised wellness plan. In addition to the work done with P-CCS, Mateo also created a guide to help schools across Michigan work through their food waste reduction efforts. The guide contains relevant steps, pertinent logistic guidance, a case study, and links to other administrative resources.

• Location: Canton Township, MI
• Project Team: Mateo Garcia (Fellow, University of Michigan), Kayla McDaniel (Mentor, Plymouth Canton Community Schools Nutrition Leader), Zach Michels (Mentor, Canton Township Associate Planner), Danielle Todd (Technical Advisor, Make Food Not Waste)
• Project Presentation: Slides (PDF), Video (YouTube)
• Project Deliverable: Why the Waste: Food Waste Reduction Guide for Michigan Schools (PDF)