Part One
The backcasting activity is a very effective tool for illuminating areas of the project that need extra attention in contrast to those that seem to be moving along organically. When completing the task, I was able to see a clearer picture of some of the possible roadblocks that require specific focus. For example, I will have to focus my attention on the details associated with year round composting in a region that receives an average yearly snowfall of upwards of 39 feet, and winter temperatures below 12 degrees Fahrenheit. I have to ensure sufficient and reliable composting facilities are on site in order to adequately deal with food that is not consumed.
The activity also brought to light many new ideas, which revealed themselves as I worked through each exercise. One of these new ideas is to provide each family with a zero-lunch-waste pledge, that they are to sign, outlining their commitment to the challenge. This will help solidify support and each family’s commitment, as well as provide opportunities for feedback and dialogue.
Another idea that revealed itself was a possibility of getting a local market involved, creating a section or endcap that provides the full home-portioning lunch kit for families, and ensuring a good assortment of bulk–buy items specifically selected with the lunch program in mind. This would be a great opportunity to involve local media, and having the support of our local market would help parents with the transition.
Part Two
I think one of the key factors in making this a success is getting a pledge drafted and signed by families as mentioned above. This, combined with an official policy regarding lunch waste could really go a long way in ensuring the longevity of the project and creating a model that can be rolled out at other educational institutions later.
The parents are key to making this project a success, so providing a sufficient presentation prior to the pledge being presented to them is paramount. I will have to make sure they have adequate information regarding current waste production, and how we are going to get to ‘goal zero-waste’, by ensuring they have access to affordable alternatives to pre-packaged food.
I think any blindspots have now been uncovered with respect to this issue. By beginning a dialogue with a local market, I may be able to find a way to have a specific area within the store, to aide parents in their shopping decisions.
I still have work to do with regards to engaging the champions of this project, being the high school aged students, and I intend on having a detailed meeting with them next week. Essential faculty and administration members are in full support of the spirit of the project, so after I have met with the students we will present our final outline of what is required to the appropriate administrative personnel.
While this project will require some alterations of shopping habits and some initial minor investment in portioning materials by each individual stakeholder, this is less of a financial project than a behavioral one. Institutional investment and resource capital is not required for the success of this program for anything other than a composting program. Faculty has already expressed to me that an adequate composting program has been on the school’s radar for quite some time and would love to see it become a reality. Once I have established the costs associated with composting in our climate, I will approach administration to see if there is a budgeting allowance for this, or if a fundraising event will be required.
jasoncolemanblog 
Although the core of your project requires a behavioral transformation and convincing of the parents to support a formal policy, I think you should not forget there is a financial opportunity to this. If you could financially compare the alternative of zero-waste composting to the money spent during years of traditionally wasting food and packaging, not only would you be benefiting the environment but their pockets. And all parents appreciate ideas that can help save money in the long-term.
I found this link and benchmarking idea that could trigger great ideas of your own:
Click to access doc-846-waste-free-lunch-guide-final.pdf
I like your expanded thinking for the zero waste lunch project. The idea of a signed contract by parents and students will, hopefully, get solid commitments but will also increase the participant’s understanding, expectations and obligations. The addition of tying your project into a local market is brilliant! Retailers are always looking for new angles and ways of connecting with the community. This will be an advantage to those retailers that already sell bulk items with little or no packaging. A neighborhood store will also help with expanding this project into other schools.
39 feet of snow! Brrrrrrr! There are alternatives to outside composting. In doing research for my project, I came across a new business that composts food waste indoors in a closed system using bugs.Also, to Maria’s point about this project becoming a financial opportunity, they sell compost, fish food and fertilizer as end products. Green Waste Technologies has an interesting business model – including the collection of food waste by horse drawn carriage – and can be found at http://www.grnwt.com.