The Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) will be taking part in a City of Winkler initiative by implementing a pilot project at one of its schools this coming fall.  With the city looking to reduce the amount of waste entering the landfill, the division wants to contribute to the efforts.
    
GVSD Superintendent Vern Reimer said beginning this fall, Northlands Parkway Collegiate (NPC) will begin composting, as part of the pilot.  

Reimer said NPC is a good fit for the pilot project because of its cafeteria and culinary arts program.  He noted right now it's uncertain how much waste the project will divert away from the landfill.

"At this point what we want to do, is instead of putting materials that are compostable into the garbage we will put them into containers and then compost that material.  So that should reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfill."

Reimer said the City of Winkler will provide the containers for the pilot.

Not only will the composting pilot benefit our environment, the project will have an educational component.  "It's one thing to actually do this, but it's also a good idea to have people understand the benefits to the environment, to the community, to the pocketbook," said Reimer.  "And like we saw with recycling, when children become aware of it and practice it, they go home and then they ask their parents to participate as well.

Ultimately, Reimer said he thinks that's the city's goal, to have the community respond and start composting for the good of the environment as well as the city facilities.

Reimer said the goal is to eventually take what's learned through the NPC pilot project and expand it to the other schools.

Related Articles:

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"Winkler Looks To Morden Pilot Project To Divert Waste"