The Rocket® is an in-vessel composter for on-site treatment of organic wastes.
Winthrop collects pre-consumer food waste from Thomson Cafeteria and mixes it with wood chips as it is dumped into the Rocket. After about four weeks, it is necessary to separate the compost and wood chips by sifting the mixture. The final compost can then be used in the community garden to amend soil in plots.
Food waste composting clearly illustrates the process of "closing the loop," and how human consumption is part of a larger ecological system. Students gain insight into systems thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving, self-awareness, normative thinking, and collaborative learning. Participating shows that individual and collective actions can influence environmental solutions for lifelong sustainability advocacy.
