Partnering for Sustainability: How The Compost Company Supports Nashville’s Public Schools

Metro Nashville Public Schools has made sustainability a priority, from improving energy efficiency to reducing waste across its campuses. A core part of that mission involves collaboration with environmental organizations that share their vision for a greener future.

One of those partners is The Compost Company, a leader in commercial compost pickup and bulk compost delivery throughout the region. Together, they’re turning food and organic waste into a resource that benefits both the environment and school grounds, setting an example other institutions can follow.

MNPS’s sustainability program focuses on reducing energy use, lowering operational costs, and creating healthier environments for students and staff. This includes green infrastructure projects, waste diversion, and partnerships with local organizations that can help them reach these goals.

By aligning with community partners, MNPS can expand its sustainability impact while also supporting local environmental businesses. This approach allows the district to meet operational needs and environmental targets at the same time.

Read more about MNPS’s sustainability initiatives.

The Compost Company works with MNPS to collect and process organic waste from school campuses, diverting it from landfills and turning it into nutrient-rich compost. This compost can then be used for school gardens, landscaping projects, and green space restoration.

Because The Compost Company operates at scale, they’re able to serve a large, multi-site organization like MNPS with consistent service, reliable pickup schedules, and high-quality compost products. It’s a partnership that supports MNPS’s operational efficiency while contributing to measurable environmental gains.

By working with The Compost Company, MNPS is able to:

• Divert organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and lowering the district’s environmental footprint.
• Improve soil health on school grounds, which supports healthier landscaping and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.
• Conserve water by using compost that increases soil’s ability to retain moisture.
• Support student and community engagement by connecting sustainability goals with visible, tangible results on campus.

While exact figures vary by year, the composting partnership helps keep significant volumes of organic waste out of landfills (lets add a measurable value here if you have it on hand), turning what would have been discarded into a resource that benefits school properties.

MNPS’s success with composting shows that waste diversion isn’t just for small businesses or individual households. Large organizations, from universities to municipal parks departments, can significantly reduce their environmental impact with a well-structured composting program.

For institutions, the benefits go beyond sustainability:

• Lower waste disposal costs over time
• Healthier grounds and landscapes
• Alignment with green building and LEED goals
• Positive public relations and community goodwill

The Compost Company is equipped to scale these services for organizations with multiple locations and high-volume needs.

Launching a composting program for a school district, corporate campus, or municipal department is easier than most decision-makers expect.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Assess your waste streams – Identify food waste, yard trimmings, and other compostable materials generated at your facilities.
2. Partner with a commercial compost provider – Choose a company that can handle the scale, schedule, and material types you need.
3. Track your results – Measure waste diversion and soil health improvements to report back to stakeholders and the community.

The Compost Company offers consulting, pickup, and delivery services to help organizations implement composting efficiently and effectively.