Sustainability Innovation in Prison: A Case Study for Successful, Combined Composting Methods to Convert Post-consumer Food Waste into Animal Feed and Soil Amendment

Workshop Presentation
Kelli Bush,  Joslyn Rose Trivett,  Nick Hacheney,  Juan Hernandez,  Rudy Madrigal  

The Sustainability in Prisons Project brings science, nature, and environmental education into prisons. An excellent example of this type of collaboration is the highly acclaimed commercial-scale vermicomposting operation at Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington State, United States (U.S.). Prisoners, prison staff, educators and other partners created an education and training program capable of processing 20,000 lbs. of food waste per month. Program participants conduct trials and refine systems to convert post-consumer food waste into animal feed and soil amendment through the combined practices of vermicomposting, Bokashi composting, and black soldier fly management. Creating effective change through the sustainability movement will necessarily depend on inclusion of traditionally underserved audiences. Participants in this workshop will be actively involved in discussions about how to bring sustainability programming, education, and research opportunities to carceral settings. The presenter will demonstrate techniques for developing innovative collaborations to support the involvement of underserved populations in the environmental sustainability movement. Participants will learn about the innovative, integrated composting systems designed, developed, and tested by incarcerated individuals with support of corrections staff and other partners. The presenter will teach participants about the important education, training, and research components of this program by sharing operating procedures and discussing education and training methods.