KVCOG Helps China Primary School Celebrate Sustainability at Annual Forest Day

KVCOG partnered with China Primary School to host an engaging compost station at their annual "Forest Day" event. This educational station aimed to introduce students to the wonders of composting and its importance in reducing waste.

The station featured a fascinating display showcasing the different physical stages of the composting process. Kids learned what composting is, why it’s beneficial for the environment, and how it diverts valuable organic material from landfills. To reinforce these lessons, students participated in a fun and interactive sorting game, working in teams to categorize images into compost, recycle, and trash bins.

This Forest Day composting station served as an exciting introduction to a larger initiative. KVCOG and China Primary School are working together to develop an on-site composting system at the school, set to launch this fall when students return. The goal is to collect food scraps and wasted food from lunches, creating a hands-on learning experience for students and reducing the school's environmental footprint. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting project!

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River View Community School Launches Composting Program in West Gardiner

KVCOG has partnered with River View Community School to establish a sustainable composting system. The program aims to divert food scraps from the school lunch and kitchen waste streams, fostering environmental awareness and promoting responsible waste management among students and staff.

The school set up a three-bin compost system, designed to efficiently collect and process food scraps. The program officially began on May 5th, 2025, and during its first week of operation, the school collected over 50 pounds of food waste. To help create high-quality compost and control odors, students and staff are layering the food scraps with dead leaves collected from nearby forests and grass clippings generated from mowing the school's fields.

This initiative not only helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills but also serves as an educational opportunity for students to learn about composting, sustainability, and ecological responsibility. The success of this project reflects River View’s commitment to environmental stewardship and provides a model for other schools and communities to follow.

KVCOG will continue to support and monitor the program as it expands, fostering a greener, more sustainable future for West Gardiner. We look forward to sharing updates as the composting system matures and benefits the school community.

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Buker Community Center in Augusta Enhances Community Garden through Composting

KVCOG has been working closely with the Buker Community Center in Augusta to integrate composting into their vibrant community garden. Historically, the center would simply discard garden scraps, missing an opportunity to improve soil health and sustainability. Now, with guidance and support from KVCOG, they have set up a dedicated compost bin for their garden waste.

This new composting system allows the Buker Community Center to turn garden scraps—such as vegetable peels, plant trimmings, and other organic materials—into nutrient-rich compost. The composted material will be directly returned to the garden beds, providing essential nutrients and improving soil quality. This closed-loop system enhances the productivity of the garden, enabling it to produce healthier, more nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables for the community.

This initiative not only promotes sustainable gardening practices but also educates community members about the importance of composting and local food systems. By utilizing the natural recycling process, the Buker Community Center is fostering a more sustainable, environmentally friendly approach that benefits both the garden and the wider community.

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Missed our Composting Workshop?

We're excited to share resources from the workshop, which provided valuable insights into the benefits of composting and strategies for successful implementation including:

• What composting is and why it's important for waste reduction and soil health.
• Different composting styles and their suitability for various settings (backyard, community, municipal).
• An overview of Maine's organics management laws and regulations affecting composting initiatives.
• Available resources for residents and municipalities looking to implement composting programs.
• Effective strategies for municipalities to support and encourage resident composting efforts.

To help you implement composting initiatives in your community, we're providing access to Mark King and Ed Stamborski's presentation slides as a PDF download:

KVCOG Compost Workshop 2025 Handouts.pdf

KVCOG 2025 Compost Workshop Handouts (Compost Rules).pdf

KVCOG is committed to supporting our member municipalities in their waste reduction and sustainability efforts. If you have any questions about composting or would like assistance with implementing composting programs in your community, please don't hesitate to contact Olivia Kunesh at or 207-453-4258 x 219.

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Compost Presentation at New Dimensions Academy

KVCOG recently organized a schoolwide presentation at New Dimensions Academy in Cornville, featuring Mark King from the Department of Environmental Protection. The engaging session focused on composting, educating students about the importance of composting and how to establish a successful compost program within their school. Through interactive discussions and practical tips, the students learned how composting helps reduce waste, enriches soil, and supports environmental sustainability. Their goal is to initiate an on-site composting system that will be established by the Fall of 2025. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation to adopt eco-friendly practices and foster a greener future.