Food Cycler Eco5 In Schools: Canada’s Success Is Coming To Australia

Currently, food waste is one of the most significant environmental issues in the world. According to OzHarvest, one third, or 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted globally each year. This figure includes both food waste at the consumer level (households) as well as food losses through the supply chain (production, post-harvest handling, processing and distribution). 

‍

When food waste is sent to landfill, the decomposition process releases harmful greenhouse gases including methane and carbon dioxide. However, there are environmentally friendly disposal methods available.

‍

Introducing the Eco5

The Eco5 is a compact, quiet and energy-efficient appliance that breaks down food waste by up to 90% in only four to eight hours. Once the heating and grinding cycle is complete, all that remains is a dry, sterile and nutrient rich soil amendment which can be used as an organic fertiliser. 

‍

EcoSchools Canada, a national charity supporting youth leadership, environmental learning and climate action, has partnered with the Ottawa-based Food Cycle Science Corporation to raise awareness about the impacts of food waste and encourage school communities to reduce their contributions to landfill. 

‍

The initiative gives schools the opportunity to obtain an Eco5 unit and provides students with authentic, hands-on and engaging learning experiences. 

‍

Already, Windermere Elementary School in British Columbia, Canada, has seen impressive results from its introduction of an Eco5 into the school curriculum. Each classroom has a small food waste container which is collected by leadership students after recess and lunch breaks and taken to the Eco5. Once each cycle is completed, the sterile soil-amendment is safe for both teachers and students to handle, and is used to nourish trees planted in the school’s “Forest Classroom”. Each classroom takes turns to distribute the organic fertiliser, allowing the students to observe the benefits it has to the environment over time.

‍

On top of its engaging teaching style, the Eco5 has been so successful in schools as it offers a more practical approach to teaching environmental sustainability than composting. Grade 2 and 3 teacher Tara Whittick found previous programs to be challenging. 

‍

“One of the struggles with running a school composting program is having a dedicated space for compost that is managed well and that does not become an animal attractant” she said. 

‍

Thanks to the Eco5’s ability to process food waste in a contained, odour-free environment, the attraction of flies and other animals is no longer an issue. Additionally, the unit operates quietly, ensuring it will not be distracting in a learning environment.

‍

With our team at enrich360® proudly bringing the Eco5 to the market next month, Australian schools now have an incredible opportunity to follow Canada’s lead. The Eco5 can be easily connected to existing curriculums, allowing schools to reduce their environmental impact in a way that is cost-effective, engaging and educational.

‍

To learn more or pre-order your Eco5, head to www.enrich360.com.au or contact our friendly team today!

‍