As students of the High School Marine Biology program at the Shedd Aquarium, we are making an effort to reduce the size of the "footprint" we leave on our world. One easy way to do this is to make an effort to reduce the amount of trash associated with our lunches. After eating each day, we separate our trash into recyclables, compost, and garbage - weighing and recording each. Our challenge is to try to lessen the amount of garbage we produce each day. Our ultimate goal is having a lunch that produces no waste at all! By participating in a waste free lunch contest we are working to reduce the amount of garbage that enters the waste stream, ending up in our neighborhoods, parks, beaches, lakes and landfills.
The organic trash (food matter) that is added to our compost is broken down by worms and returned to the soil. This process, called vermicomposting, is an easy and fun way to reduce your environmental impact because it keeps waste from going to the landfill and produces organic fertilizer that can be used in your garden.
For more information on how to make your own worm bin, please visit the following link provided by Shedd Aquarium.
