A school in Dubai is making strides in sustainability by installing an innovative food-to-fertilizer machine on its campus. Dubai American Academy (DAA) is using this technology to convert food waste from its cafeteria; like fruits, vegetables, and other scraps into nutrient-rich compost. This effort supports the school’s mission to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices.
Supporting Dubai’s Food Waste Goals
This initiative aligns with Dubai Municipality’s aim to cut food waste by 50% by 2030. The composter not only reduces landfill waste but also contributes to sustainable living.
First of Its Kind at GEMS Schools
Angela Hargett, a High School English teacher and head of the school’s Eco Committee, said, “We compost organic materials like fruits and vegetables, excluding oil. The machine turns this waste into valuable compost, drastically reducing the trash we send to landfills,” she explained.
Hargett highlighted that DAA is the first GEMS school to introduce composting. The compost produced is used in their eco-garden, which the Eco Committee maintains. “We’re experimenting to find which vegetables grow best in our garden. Once we succeed, we plan to share the produce with parents and the school community,” she added.
Surprisingly, the composting process is odor-free. Hargett said, “It’s amusing—it smells lovely! Sometimes it has a fruity aroma, and at other times, it smells like coffee. It’s a pleasant surprise.”
A Larger Green Mission
The composter is part of DAA’s broader sustainability journey. Over the past three years, the school has reduced its use of plastic bottles, cut down on paper, and created a thriving eco-garden.
“We’ve been working toward becoming a sustainable school. This year, we’re applying for the Green Flag certification. The composter is a step forward, helping us reuse cafeteria waste instead of sending it to landfills,” said Hargett.
Hargett emphasized the importance of educating students on sustainability. “We showed our Grade 5 students how the machine works, and they were fascinated,” she said.
How Does the Machine Work?
The food-to-fertiliser machine weighs 200 kilograms and processes up to 60 kilograms of food waste per cycle, taking about 10 hours to complete.
Grade 12 student and Eco Community President, Javad Rzayev, shared, “Introducing this composter is a significant step in reducing food waste on campus. Each cycle saves around 114 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.”
The compost is used in the school’s eco-garden, where students grow various plants and learn about sustainable practices.
