By Ruth SOWBY

“I’ve never been happier to be overwhelmed at work.”  

So said CVHS sophomore Soren Cooper who started a food waste program aimed to reduce the amount of food waste generated on school grounds. Cooper’s program is funded by a grant from the Glendale Educational Foundation.  

At lunch on Earth Day, April 22, student volunteers stood by two bins specifically designed for food waste. The students educated their fellow students on what can be safely put in the bins. Approximately 40% of all trash is food waste that can be composted under California law.    

As part of the program, students made a poster with a QR code that can be scanned leading to a website built by Cooper. The website describes how to win a $5 gift card to Starbucks or Ohoo Boba, a local business.   

During the Earth Day festivities, 11 students received gift cards for being the top food waste contributors. The #1 winner was Xiomara Sorensen.  

CVHS Assistant Principal Miguel Gonzalez credited Cooper with creating and executing the program.  

“He wouldn’t take no for an answer,” said Gonzalez. 

According to Cooper, “So far 60 pounds of compost has been diverted from landfill.”  

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, a project spearheaded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin.