June 8, 2025
By Toby Scofield

As the seasons grow warmer, gardeners smile and get to work—watching plants from previous years return, planting new additions, and enjoying the reward of fresh vegetables. But without healthy soil, these plants wouldn’t thrive—a fact recognized by Pickerington High School North’s Roots Club.

The Roots Club, a participant in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Teen EcoSummit program, is a group of students determined to make a difference in their school—and in the environment.

Vermicomposting

“Our project this year is a vermicomposting bin that we’re setting up on school grounds near our gardens,” explained Aubrey Jones, Roots Club president. “We came up with the idea after talking to other schools’ teams last year. Several had implemented vermicomposting bins, and the more we learned about it, the more we wanted to pursue it for our own project.”

Vermicomposting is a method of composting that uses earthworms to break down organic waste. There are several types: beds (troughs placed in the ground), windrows (long mounds on the ground), and bins (above-ground containers). While bins require more regulation to maintain stable temperatures year-round, they make it easier to remove the compost and worms when needed.

These bins will generate nutrient-rich soil for the school garden—but their impact goes far beyond that.

“Our school currently produces a large amount of food waste after each of our four lunch periods,” said Alicia Indyk, EcoSummit Team Captain. “Putting this waste into a compost bin allows it to be reused in multiple ways instead of going straight to the landfill.”

Food waste is a major issue in the United States.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “In the U.S., food is the single most common material sent to landfills, comprising 24.1 percent of municipal solid waste.”

At first glance, putting food waste in with other garbage may not seem like a big deal—but unfortunately, it is.

In landfills, waste is placed in compacted cells to maximize space efficiency. But this process also deprives the waste of oxygen.

“When food and other organic materials decompose in a landfill where anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions are present,” the EPA explains, “bacteria break down the materials and generate methane—a powerful greenhouse gas.”

Greenhouse gases are so named because, like the glass walls of a greenhouse, they trap heat. In Earth’s atmosphere, this heat-trapping effect contributes to rising surface temperatures, which can in turn lead to sea level rise, extreme weather events, and other global consequences.

Purchase Panther Produce!

By composting their school’s food waste, North’s EcoSummit Team is helping to reduce methane emissions and address a growing global concern. But their efforts also have a local impact.

“We can use the compost to grow various plants that we’ll then sell to our community,” said Indyk, “and in turn, we can teach our community about vermicomposting and its benefits!”

This initiative benefits both the planet and the people around them—providing fresh produce and environmental education at the same time.

Composting has countless advantages. Why not follow the team’s lead and start composting at home?

If you’re interested in purchasing produce from Pickerington North’s gardens, reach out to adam_philpott@plsd.us. Zucchini and squash will be available throughout the summer, with tomatoes and basil coming in the fall.