Holderness students lead community composting pilot

HOLDERNESS — What began as a middle school experience has grown into a community-wide sustainability initiative led by four Plymouth Regional High School students working to reduce food waste in Holderness.

The students’ journey began in 2024 at the first annual Middle School Sustainability and Action Summit hosted by Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. Inspired by what they learned, Sebastian, Woody, Ellie, and Haven began exploring solutions in their community. By fall 2024, Holderness Central School students launched a fully student-run food waste diversion system in their cafeteria. With support from WWF and USDA grant funding, and in partnership with HCS staff, the program has kept over 4,000 pounds of food waste from landfills while educating peers about its environmental impact, an effort that remains in operation today.

Now in high school, the group has expanded their work with a proposal for a town-wide composting pilot program. Launching in May, the three-month trial will allow residents to drop off food scraps at the town transfer station for transport to a local farm for composting. Food waste makes up a significant portion of household trash and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in landfills, and the pilot will evaluate participation, logistics, and cost-effectiveness before any long-term commitment.

The impact of the Sustainability and Action Summit has come full circle, with two of the student leaders returning this year to lead a workshop on food waste diversion for middle school participants from across the state.

“This project highlights the power of youth leadership and community partnerships; I am incredibly proud of the students’ role in initiating our new community composting program,” said Scott Weden, Holderness town administrator.

For more information, contact heidi.emmons@nhnature.org.