An elementary school produces 150 kg of food waste each year. Composting reduces the waste sent to landfill by 25%. If each tree planted can absorb 12 kg of waste per year, how many trees can be saved by composting?

Step-by-step solution

1. Calculate waste reduced: $150\times 0.25=37.5$ kg.
2. Determine trees saved: $37.5÷12=3.125$.
3. Round down because a tree cannot be a fraction: 3 trees.
4. Answer is 3.

Concept tested: Waste reduction & tree calculation

Published 16 October 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked