USN restarts composting program

Students and faculty have resumed composting at USN. Through collaboration, persistence, and student leadership across all divisions, the program has already gotten off to a great start.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

The revival of University School of Nashville’s composting program has brought a renewed sense of sustainability to 2000 Edgehill Ave. The program’s return began with a simple conversation between Lower School Naturalist Lauren Hagan and Head of Lower School Kristian Noden, where they discussed how USN could adopt more sustainable practices.

“After speaking with USN parent and Tennessee Environmental Council board member Amanda Dixon, we both agreed that bringing composting back should be one of our main focuses for the 2025–2026 school year,” Hagan said.

By August, the plan gained momentum. Hagan and Dixon met with USN parent Clay Ezell, whose company now handles the pickup and processing of USN’s compost waste. With a logistics partner in place, the program was ready to move from idea to action.

For Hagan, the composting program is a reminder of a quote often attributed to Margaret Mead, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”

“There have been many teachers and students who have supported the program from the start, and they are the only reason we have been able to keep the composting going,” Hagan said.

Students and faculty stepped up in numerous ways, like creating videos to promote the program, volunteering to take compost out in the afternoons, serving as Compost Ambassadors, and helping spread the word to peers. When funding became a challenge, Interim Director Juliet Douglas offered additional support through the Director’s Office budget, ensuring the program could continue.

Composting is not new to USN. The original program dates back to 2019, with students Bella Barocas ’31, Ellie Hollahan ’31, and Mia Pretorius ’31 leading the charge, before the program was put on hold during the pandemic.

“Students and teachers alike have been talking about bringing composting back since it ceased during Covid,” Hagan said. “We decided that now was the time to act.”

The timing has proven right. Participation has grown steadily, with students from across divisions embracing the routine of separating compostable waste from trash and recycling.

The benefits of composting extend far beyond the cafeteria. Students learn firsthand how small, daily actions can make a real environmental impact.

“They gain the knowledge that they are doing something to help our planet Earth,” Hagan explained. “We’re sending less waste to landfills, reducing methane gas emissions, converting food waste into nutrient-rich soil, and lowering our carbon footprint. They are truly making a difference.”

Erin Ilagan ’26 has seen that impact firsthand. As a member of the High School Environmental Club, she’s been actively involved in the program.

“It’s extremely important for the USN community to not only give back to the earth through the composting program, but for the lower schoolers to gain an interest in protecting the environment and reducing waste in their daily lives,” Erin said. “Even if it just takes a few minutes, taking time to compost reminds students that there are opportunities to help the planet a little bit every day.”

Erin also noted the enthusiasm across campus, with nearly every High School class represented on the volunteer signup sheet and faculty members joining in as well.

“The signup sheet for the fall semester had representatives from almost every high school class and a variety of faculty members,” Erin said. “As a part of the High School ECO Club, it’s been great to see how USN’s commitment to environmentalism (from the composting program to the Green Roof initiative) has grown.”

Younger students are also taking the program to heart. Isaac Karpinos ’33 says composting has changed the way he thinks about responsibility.

“I think it’s important for USN to have a composting program because it helps the earth have healthier soil, and because it makes students think about what they are doing rather than just throwing their food away,” Isaac said. “One major takeaway I’ve had is that I have to help others when help is needed. I have to be a leader and tell people where things go.”

Hagan has noticed that leadership, especially among younger students, has continued to grow.

“They’ve gotten better and better at separating compostable items from trash and recycling,” she said. “It really speaks to the character of USN students and how willing and excited they are to get involved.”

As a school that prides itself on building leaders throughout the school, sustainability is a part of its broader mission. 

“Adhering to sustainable practices at our school reflects this aim,” Hagan said.

Looking to next year, there are plans to expand the program with more compost bins around campus and the ability to process additional types of waste.

For now, the return of composting stands as a reminder of what can happen when students, faculty, and families work together to make a difference.
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