A school in Dubai is taking a significant step towards sustainability by installing a state-of-the-art ‘food-to-fertiliser machine’ to transform food waste into nutrient-rich compost. Dubai American Academy (DAA) has implemented the composter on its campus, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly living.
The machine processes food scraps such as vegetables, fruits, and other edible waste from the school’s cafeteria, converting them into valuable compost. This initiative aligns with Dubai Municipality’s goal of achieving a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030.
Angela Hargett, High School English teacher and the Eco Committee convener, shared insights into the project, emphasizing the importance of composting organic materials without using oil. She highlighted that the compost is used in the school’s eco-garden, where students experiment to find which vegetables thrive best. The ultimate goal is to share the produce with the community, including parents.
“Once successful, we plan to share the product with our community of parents,” Hargett said, adding that the compost has an unexpectedly pleasant aroma, which ranges from fruity to coffee-like as it matures.
The composter is just one part of DAA’s broader sustainability efforts. Over the past three years, the school has worked to reduce plastic use, minimize paper waste, and establish the eco-garden. This year, DAA is applying for the Green Flag certification for its environmental initiatives.
Hargett explained, “We’ve reduced our paper, eliminated plastic bottles, and the composter is the next step. It’s our way of reducing waste from the canteen, not sending it to the landfill, but using it to benefit our school and community.”
Grade 12 student Javad Rzayev, President of the Eco Community at DAA, highlighted the composter’s impact, stating it can process up to 60 kilograms of food waste per cycle, saving about 114 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. The compost is used in the school’s eco-garden to cultivate sustainable practices and teach students about waste reduction and environmental responsibility.
“This marks a significant step toward reducing food waste on our campus,” Rzayev added, stressing the school’s commitment to sustainability and educating students about the importance of composting and eco-conscious living.
DAA’s food-to-fertiliser machine is setting a green example, not only for the school but also for the wider community in Dubai.
