“What we’re seeing in Sydney”: 4 interns tell their stories

by

Landon Levesque, Matthew Hart, Tanush Contractor, Zachary Nathanson

• We smell the sweet compost

Why We're Here

As part of a student consulting project, we are working with Sustainable House to explore how Coolseats—a compact, odor-free food waste composter—can expand into gardens, parks, schools, TAFEs, streets, houses and apartments and eventually elsewhere - including wherre we come from, the United States.

Coming from various parts of the United States of America, we each brought unique perspectives on food waste, sustainability, and composting culture. What we found here in Sydney challenged our assumptions and inspired new forward-thinking.

 First Impressions: Composting in Our Home States vs. Sydney

Before arriving, composting felt very niche to many of us - something you would typically only hear about on sustainability blogs or see in extremely eco-conscious households.

In our home states of California, New York, Ohio, and Washington - food waste is mostly seen as unavoidable and typically handled by large municipal systems. The idea of personally handling and reducing food waste has always felt too inconvenient or too messy. Some of us had never seen a compost bin that was not in a garden, and some assumed that composting required specialized equipment and constant upkeep.

Sydney, specifically, our experience here in the inner city suburb of Chippendale at Sustainable House, completely challenged all that.

The Coolseat made composting feel modern and intuitive. It did not smell, take up much space, and seamlessly fitw in every environment (even making the area more appealing). What stood out was how normal it was; composting was not treated like a chore or a green luxury; it was just . . . part of life. That simplicity made us ask: if it works here, why can’t it work back home, too?

• Janet (member of the body corporate) and the apartment block’s coolseat in the apartment garden, Turramurra, Sydney

Experiencing Coolseat in Action

Nothing compares to witnessing sustainable innovation in action.

During our site visits to an apartment building and a preschool, we observed firsthand how Coolseats are seamlessly integrated into everyday routines.

In both settings, the units were discreetly placed, easy to access, and embraced by those using them. Residents and staff interacted with the Coolseats naturally, proudly demonstrating how the system fits effortlessly into daily life without requiring significant behavior changes. More importantly, we saw the tangible impact of organic waste being diverted from landfills and building a stronger sense of community. Conversations with those using the coolseats and with us during our site visits were sparked around sustainability, and a shared sense of responsibility forming within these communities. These visits provided invaluable insight into the real-world functionality of Coolseat and reaffirmed its potential to drive meaningful environmental change at the community level.

• The coolseat we saw at our site visit to the KU Barra Brui preschool at St Ives

Different Contexts, Same Impact

Everyone we met recognized the value of having an on-site composter.

The Coolseat was more than just a practical waste management solution, it sparked meaningful conversations and raised awareness about sustainability.  

During our visit to a local preschool, we saw how the presence of the Coolseat played an active role in teaching young children about composting and the environment. Integrated into their daily routine and supported by an eco-literacy curriculum, the Coolseat became a hands-on learning tool that helped foster environmental values early on. It was clear that the younger generation was not only capable of understanding the importance of sustainability but eager to participate in it. These early lessons are foundational to creating long-term change, cultivating children's capacity to lead future environmental progress. In each of these environments, we witnessed firsthand how a simple, accessible composting system could shift behaviour and encourage more mindful consumption habits.  

• We planted plants from Sydney City Council in prototype Coolseats directly outside Cafe Giulia, Chippendale

The Coolseat was not just saving food scraps from landfills but fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. These encounters allowed us to reimagine how Coolseat could seamlessly integrate into an urban framework. From high-density housing and shared public spaces to community centers and schools, a city’s layout, architectural diversity, and growing environmental consciousness present a promising opportunity for widespread adoption. This feedback affirmed that Coolseat has the flexibility and appeal needed to thrive in other evolving city landscapes.

• From L to R: intern Tanush, David Smith in dark cap from Electrifying Bradfield which donated the coolseat using a grant from Ku-ring-gai Council, Michael Mobbs, and a teacher from KU St Ives Barra Brui Preschool

• The preschool children love digging into the compost to find worms; the teacher held compost in her hands for us to smell - it had a sweet smell. Go the worms and little things we can’t see that turn food into soil

The Numbers: What Could Be Saved

Based on estimates from our Sydney case studies, if a 30-unit apartment building used Coolseats, they could divert over 5,469 kilograms of food waste from landfill each year translating into an 8,203-kilogram reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and significant garbage collection costs. That is equivalent to driving roughly 33,000 kilometers in an petrol powered sedan.

 Looking Forward

Coolseat holds significant potential to resonate with individuals and communities who are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact.

As sustainable living practices continue to grow in popularity, integrating tools like Coolseat into everyday life presents a powerful opportunity to make composting more accessible, practical, and impactful. Establishing Coolseat as a regular part of homes, schools, and shared spaces could catalyze broader engagement with the composting movement.

By normalizing on-site composting, we can help more people understand the vital role it plays in reducing food waste, enriching soil health, and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, this empowers individuals and communities to take meaningful action, give back to the planet, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future.

As we continue to grow our marketing and consulting skills, our next step is to develop thoughtful rollout strategies that fit the needs of diverse environments and lifestyles—ensuring that Coolseat can be implemented effectively and embraced widely.

by

Landon Levesque, Matthew Hart, Tanush Contractor, Zachary Nathanson