RCE Detroit Windsor - 2024

Make Food Not Waste
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Make Food Not Waste
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Detroit Windsor
Contributing organization(s) : 
Make Food Not Waste, Wayne State University, Office of Sustainability, Green Warriors.
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Mohamed Dabaja
Organizational Affiliation: 
Wayne State University
E-mail: 
gk1828@wayne.edu
Format of project: 
manuscript
Language of project: 
english
Date of submission:
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Web link: 
https://s.wayne.edu/unrce/2024/04/03/un-rce-detroit-and-plate-to-planet-partner-to-combat-food-waste-at-wayne-state-university-campus/
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Americas
Country: 
United States
Location(s): 
Detroit
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Wayne State University
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Primary, Secondary, Teacher Ed., TVET, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Environmentally, Detroit has significant challenges, including pollution from industrial activity and inadequate green spaces. However, sustainability initiatives like urban farming and green infrastructure projects are gaining momentum in addressing these issues.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Detroit faces challenges related to food waste and a lack of composting infrastructure, contributing to environmental and social issues. High food insecurity and limited access to proper waste management lead to food waste piling up in landfills, emitting methane, and worsening climate change. This project aims to reduce food waste through composting, which would lower emissions, improve soil health, and support urban farming initiatives. By promoting composting and sustainability education, the project addresses both environmental impacts and food insecurity, helping create a more sustainable and resilient food system in Detroit.













Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
February, 2024 to February, 2026
Rationale: 
The rationale for this project lies in the urgent need to reduce food waste and promote composting as a climate change mitigation strategy in Detroit. With limited composting infrastructure and high levels of food waste contributing to methane emissions from landfills, these activities are essential to creating a more sustainable environment. Additionally, food waste reduction is closely tied to food security, an issue that affects many Detroit residents.

Educational practices and materials shared through the project are necessary to raise awareness about the environmental and economic impacts of food waste. By teaching communities how to compost effectively and utilize food waste for urban farming, the project promotes a circular food economy. These activities also support broader sustainability goals by enhancing soil health and reducing the carbon footprint of waste disposal. This project helps build a culture of sustainability in Detroit, empowering individuals and communities to make environmentally conscious choices that benefit both their immediate surroundings and the global climate.






Objectives: 
The objectives of this project are to reduce food waste in Detroit through composting and to raise community awareness about sustainable practices. Key goals include establishing accessible composting infrastructure, educating residents on the environmental and economic benefits of composting, and promoting the use of compost in urban farming. Teaching outcomes include empowering individuals to minimize food waste, improve soil health, and contribute to climate change mitigation. The project aims to foster a culture of sustainability, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to make environmentally responsible decisions.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
The project will involve several key activities aimed at educating students and the community on composting and food waste reduction. First, workshops and seminars will be conducted at Wayne State University and the University of Windsor to teach students about the environmental impact of food waste and the benefits of composting. These sessions will include hands-on demonstrations on how to compost effectively and reduce food waste. After gathering data from these educational initiatives, we will hold community events to share the findings, raise awareness, and promote sustainable practices. These events will engage the public, encouraging widespread adoption of composting and food waste reduction strategies.






Size of academic audience: 
50,000
Key messages: 
Our project aims to reduce food waste and promote composting in Detroit by educating students at Wayne State and the University of Windsor. Through workshops and community events, we will raise awareness about food waste's environmental impact and equip participants with practical skills to contribute to sustainability and climate change mitigation.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon IMG_9667-c38e0a8b0efd8258-1024x768.jpeg (152.08 KB) UN-RCE Detroit and Plate-to-Planet Partner to Combat Food Waste at Wayne State University Campus UN-RCE Detroit
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Direct
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Direct
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Indirect
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Indirect
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Direct
Agriculture 
Direct
Arts 
Indirect
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Ecotourism 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Indirect
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes