Pinckney student starts composting system on school grounds

PINKNEY — Sam Bagdadchi hopes Pinckney High School’s composting system will inspire future generations of students to practice sustainability.

Baghdadchi, a PCHS graduate, started a composting system on school grounds for his Eagle Scout project.

Baghdadchi is a member of the PHCS Environmental Club, which works to integrate sustainability into the school. It’s a relatively small club with about 10 members, not counting advisor Stacy Trosin, but they have big goals. Club members hope PCHS can become Michigan Green School from the State of Michigan.

“We are major proponents of environmental education, and that’s what we focus on,” Baghdadchi said.

Baghdadchi came up with a composting system for his Eagle Scout project. He raised about $1,300 through community donations and fundraising.

The composting bins were built at the end of August and have been in operation since September. Ecology Club members collect unused fruits and vegetables during lunch for composting.

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Baghdadchi said the club is trying to introduce composting into the school culture. Starting with one day a week, club members collect unused food several times a week. According to Baghdadchi, food waste in schools can be reduced by up to 30%.

“Every student is so receptive to it because it’s so simple,” Baghdadchi said. “We have worked very hard to make sure that this is an accessible and easy program for all students, that all students can participate in, and that it is implemented effectively.”

For this project, Baghdadchi had to develop his own plan. He created composting containers from wood. Food waste is placed in containers and covered with a layer of brown matter, i.e. leaves and other dried food. It creates a micro-batch and turns into compost within 30 days if done correctly, Baghdadchi said.

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PHCS Director Julia McBride noted that Bagdadchi worked with the Livingston County Health Department, the Putnam Township Fire Department, Pinckney Community Schools construction and grounds management, and PCHS administration to implement the composting project.

“He did it with professionalism and perseverance, and can now be seen enthusiastically collaborating with his colleagues over lunches to make the composting system work,” McBride said. “It’s great to watch Sam in action and our students will learn what they can recycle through composting to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.”

Baghdadchi plans to study environmental science and public policy in college. He said he was honored to create a legacy project at PCHS.

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“I know the next generation is going to continue this because they learned with us and they’re going to continue this and it’s just amazing,” Baghdadchi said. “I’m so proud of everyone involved in this and I know it will go far.

“In fact, although this task did seem daunting, we realized that schools can actually become more resilient if they have an organization, people helping to work on the project, and support from administrators. Any school in our area can implement a composting program.”

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at [email protected]. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.

This article originally appeared in Livingston Daily: Pinckney student starts composting system on school grounds