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Teen Turns Food Scraps Into Eco-Herbicide
9 Nov
Summary
- Teenager Leo Toake developed an eco-herbicide from food waste.
- His initiative, Re:Imagine Inc., has restored 15 acres in New Jersey.
- The S.A.F.E. herbicide showed an 82.5% inhibition rate on invasive grass.
Sixteen-year-old Leo Toake from New Jersey is pioneering a unique approach to environmental restoration by repurposing food waste into an innovative herbicide. His nonprofit, Re:Imagine Inc., aims to combat invasive plant species while simultaneously diverting food scraps from landfills. This initiative focuses on creating S.A.F.E., a low-cost herbicide derived from materials like potato peels and coffee grounds.
Preliminary testing of S.A.F.E. revealed an impressive 82.5% inhibition rate against invasive Japanese stilt grass. This groundbreaking work has not only garnered national attention, including recognition through the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, but has also involved significant community action. Toake and more than 70 volunteers have actively restored 15 acres in northern New Jersey, removing over two tons of invasive plant material and planting more than 100 native keystone species.
Re:Imagine Inc. began as a project by Bergen County Academies students, receiving accolades for their comprehensive approach to environmental restoration. The organization's efforts extend beyond product development to hands-on habitat restoration, erosion repair, and trail maintenance, fostering a broader culture of environmental responsibility among young people and the community.
