国产爆料 has long been committed to delivering high-quality education while preparing students to be thoughtful, responsible global citizens.
In late 2024, the College installed a rapid composter machine - the Foodie F100 - to process food waste generated across the school. With over 200 children in the Early Learning Centre and 150 boarders dining on-site each day, the College produces an average of 115kg of food waste per day. Previously, this waste was transported off-site for commercial composting鈥攁 process that incurred financial costs and environmental impacts through fuel use and labour.
Simon Costanzo, Director of Property Services, explains the motivation behind the shift: 鈥淲aste is a significant contributor to our carbon footprint. Historically, food waste was collected and taken from site three times a week by truck. The inclusion of the rapid composter has meant that waste is now processed on site, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and reducing labour requirements.鈥�
The machine uses heat and bacteria to transform food and organic waste into a nutrient-rich compost-like material within 24 hours. The output鈥攁pproximately 50kg of compost per week鈥攊s used to supplement fertiliser across the College鈥檚 gardens. But the benefits go far beyond landscaping.
鈥淗aving a tangible initiative on campus has had an educational impact,鈥� says Mr Costanzo. 鈥淪tudents are investigating the science behind how the system works and exploring additional uses for the end product as part of their learning activities.鈥�
One such exercise has taken shape in the Year 11 Business Innovation class, where students have developed a real-world enterprise based on the composting program. Their idea? To package the compost into 10-litre buckets and sell it to the school community.
Finn, Vice CEO of the student business team, describes the concept: 鈥淥ur business idea is to create and sell bespoke PAC buckets filled with soil conditioner produced on site. The compost machine uses food waste from the school kitchens, making it environmentally friendly and high in value for gardening.鈥�
The initiative combines sustainability, entrepreneurship, and school spirit. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just selling compost,鈥� says Year 11 student and CEO, James. 鈥淲e鈥檙e turning waste into something useful and meaningful. The bucket is reusable, and this initiative supports the PAC community.鈥�
The project also supports curriculum learning. Business Innovation teacher, Chris Nicholls, explains: 鈥淪tudents are assessed on how well they gather and use information to develop and communicate a business model, and how effectively they evaluate that model. This project has given them a real-world context to apply those skills.鈥�
The students have taken on roles in marketing, branding, cost analysis, and production planning. They鈥檝e researched pricing strategies and compared their product to similar items on the market. 鈥淎s CEO, I allocated roles across the team,鈥� says James. 鈥淪ome focus on branding, others on costs. It was a collaborative effort.鈥�
The composting program itself continues to evolve. In addition to food waste, the machine now processes 100% of sawdust from the Tech Studies workshop, a growing percentage of grass clippings and leaf litter, and is being trialled for shredded paper waste. The College is even exploring the possibility of powering the machine with dedicated solar panels and batteries, aiming for a fully self-sufficient system.
PAC is the first school in South Australia鈥攁nd possibly the first in Australia鈥攖o install this type of rapid composter. The success of the trial has led to a commitment to upgrade to a next-generation model, incorporating feedback from PAC staff to improve efficiency and usability.
鈥淪ustainability is important because our generation will be dealing with the effects of climate change and waste,鈥� says James. 鈥淐reating something that benefits the school, the environment, and the community is meaningful.鈥�
As the compost buckets went on sale in Term 4, just in time for spring gardening, the project stands as a powerful example of how hands-on learning can support curriculum goals, foster innovation, and advance PAC鈥檚 commitment to sustainability. Members of the PAC community can purchase a bucket via the button below.
鈥淭his is more than a school project,鈥� says Finn. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a step toward a more sustainable future鈥攁nd we鈥檙e proud to be part of it.鈥�
For those who have purchased PAC compost previously, bring your PAC bucket along on 28 November for a refill! No need to place an order.
