Prince Alfred College has long been committed to delivering high-quality education while preparing students to be thoughtful, responsible global citizens.
In late 2024, the College installed a rapid composter machine - the Foodie F100 - to process food waste generated across the school. With over 200 children in the Early Learning Centre and 150 boarders dining on-site each day, the College produces an average of 115kg of food waste per day. Previously, this waste was transported off-site for commercial composting—a process that incurred financial costs and environmental impacts through fuel use and labour.
Simon Costanzo, Director of Property Services, explains the motivation behind the shift: “Waste is a significant contributor to our carbon footprint. Historically, food waste was collected and taken from site three times a week by truck. The inclusion of the rapid composter has meant that waste is now processed on site, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and reducing labour requirements.”
The machine uses heat and bacteria to transform food and organic waste into a nutrient-rich compost-like material within 24 hours. The output—approximately 50kg of compost per week—is used to supplement fertiliser across the College’s gardens. But the benefits go far beyond landscaping.
“Having a tangible initiative on campus has had an educational impact,” says Mr Costanzo. “Students are investigating the science behind how the system works and exploring additional uses for the end product as part of their learning activities.”
One such exercise has taken shape in the Year 11 Business Innovation class, where students have developed a real-world enterprise based on the composting program. Their idea? To package the compost into 10-litre buckets and sell it to the school community.
Finn, Vice CEO of the student business team, describes the concept: “Our business idea is to create and sell bespoke PAC buckets filled with soil conditioner produced on site. The compost machine uses food waste from the school kitchens, making it environmentally friendly and high in value for gardening.”
The initiative combines sustainability, entrepreneurship, and school spirit. “We’re not just selling compost,” says Year 11 student and CEO, James. “We’re turning waste into something useful and meaningful. The bucket is reusable, and this initiative supports the PAC community.”
The project also supports curriculum learning. Business Innovation teacher, Chris Nicholls, explains: “Students are assessed on how well they gather and use information to develop and communicate a business model, and how effectively they evaluate that model. This project has given them a real-world context to apply those skills.”
The students have taken on roles in marketing, branding, cost analysis, and production planning. They’ve researched pricing strategies and compared their product to similar items on the market. “As CEO, I allocated roles across the team,” says James. “Some focus on branding, others on costs. It was a collaborative effort.”
The composting program itself continues to evolve. In addition to food waste, the machine now processes 100% of sawdust from the Tech Studies workshop, a growing percentage of grass clippings and leaf litter, and is being trialled for shredded paper waste. The College is even exploring the possibility of powering the machine with dedicated solar panels and batteries, aiming for a fully self-sufficient system.
PAC is the first school in South Australia—and possibly the first in Australia—to install this type of rapid composter. The success of the trial has led to a commitment to upgrade to a next-generation model, incorporating feedback from PAC staff to improve efficiency and usability.
“Sustainability is important because our generation will be dealing with the effects of climate change and waste,” says James. “Creating something that benefits the school, the environment, and the community is meaningful.”
As the compost buckets went on sale in Term 4, just in time for spring gardening, the project stands as a powerful example of how hands-on learning can support curriculum goals, foster innovation, and advance PAC’s commitment to sustainability. Members of our community can purchase a bucket or register your interest here.
“This is more than a school project,” says Finn. “It’s a step toward a more sustainable future—and we’re proud to be part of it.”
