Community donations sought to double climate impact in local schools

The City of Kingston is seeking community members to help turn everyday school lunch waste into meaningful climate impact by supporting the 6th annual Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF) project, which will bring FoodCyclers to five-to-seven local elementary and secondary schools, including Molly Brant Elementary School.

Led by Sustainable Kingston, in partnership with Limestone District School Board (LDSB), this year’s KCCAF project will implement FoodCyclers to divert organic waste from student snacks and lunches away from landfill. In addition to reducing methane emissions, the program will help students better understand sustainability, waste reduction and the circular economy through real-world learning.

The KCCAF supports local charitable and non-profit organizations that advance Kingston’s climate and sustainability goals through projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy and enhance community resilience. Eligible projects must demonstrate measurable environmental benefits within Kingston’s boundaries and align with the City’s goal to lead environmental stewardship and climate action.

With every dollar donated to the project supporting greenhouse gas reductions while providing hands-on sustainability education for students across LDSB.

Reducing emissions where it starts

Currently, most schools in Kingston do not divert organic waste from landfill. According to a 2022 study prepared by EcoSchools Canada for Environment and Climate Change Canada, approximately 9.5 per cent of landfill waste and 8.3 per cent of recycling waste in elementary schools is organic material.

Based on this available data, each elementary student produces an estimated 1.25 kilograms of organic waste per year. This waste can generate methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, when sent to landfills.

By diverting this material through food waste recycling, the project will eliminate a significant source of emissions while building climate literacy among students.

How the project will work

Sustainable Kingston will partner with the Limestone District School Board and participating schools to install two–to–three FoodCyclers per school, along with additional units for the LDSB experiential learning team, which travels between schools. This mobile team will help encourage broader adoption of food waste diversion across the board.

FoodCyclers grind and dry organic material, killing bacteria and significantly reducing volume. The resulting product is odour-free and can be added to compost, used as fertilizer, or safely stored—dramatically reducing its climate impact even if disposal is required.

A call to the community

“This project is about practical climate action that starts with students and extends into the broader community,” said Julia Stroud, Sustainable Kingston. "Food waste going to landfill has a bigger impact than most people realize, and this project is an opportunity for students to see a different way to handle it. It encourages a conversation around actions students can take to protect the planet at school that can then extend out into the community now and into the future."

The previous 2024–2025 campaign raised $27,275.56 for Extend-A-Family Kingston’s Community GrowAbility Project, which enhanced greenhouse efficiency and community resilience through hydroponic upgrades. Since the fund’s inception, Kingston

Community Credit Union has been a community partner and financial supporter of KCCAF.

“Kingston Community Credit Union has been proud to support the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund since its inception, helping to bring community‑driven climate solutions to life,” said Jon Dessau, CEO at Kingston Community Credit Union. “We’re especially excited to see students at the Limestone School Board be involved in this year’s project. Giving young people the opportunity to take part in practical climate action helps them see firsthand how their involvement can make a real difference, fostering a greener, more sustainable future for our entire community.

Residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to donate in support of the project. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt.

You can donate:

• In person at any Kingston Community Credit Union branch and the City of Kingston payment centre at 1st floor, City Hall, 216 Ontario St;
• Online through CanadaHelps

For more information about the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund or to donate, visit CityofKingston.ca/KCCAF