Food waste weedkiller solution

Introduction to Re:Imagine Inc.

What if food scraps usually thrown into the bin could help restore damaged ecosystems? In New Jersey, 16-year-old Leo Toake is exploring that possibility by turning discarded potato peels and coffee grounds into an alternative herbicide designed to control invasive plants. Through his nonprofit, Re:Imagine Inc., he has combined scientific experimentation with community-led restoration, bringing young volunteers together to protect local green spaces and encourage the growth of native species.

Toake's work received national recognition through the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which recognised Toake as a 2026 runner-up and highlighted his environmental initiative. According to the Barron Prize's profile, his experimental product, called S.A.F.E., achieved an 82.5% inhibition rate against invasive Japanese stilt grass in preliminary trials.

Turning Food Waste into an Alternative Herbicide

Toake co-founded Re:Imagine Inc. to address two environmental problems together: the growing amount of food waste sent to landfills and the spread of invasive plant species that threaten native biodiversity. The organisation collects compostable food scraps, including potato peels and coffee grounds, and processes them into S.A.F.E., a low-cost herbicide intended to suppress invasive vegetation as an alternative to conventional weedkillers.

According to the Barron Prize profile, the product achieved an 82.5% inhibition rate against Japanese stilt grass during preliminary testing. The results suggest that discarded food materials could have a potential use in managing unwanted vegetation, although further testing would be needed to establish its effectiveness and environmental safety under different field conditions.

Key Statistics

• 15 acres restored in northern New Jersey
• 2 tons of invasive plant material removed
• 100 keystone species planted
• 500 pounds of food waste diverted from landfills

Building a Community Project

The organisation's work extends beyond developing a product. Toake has focused on involving students, volunteers, local businesses and nature centres in practical environmental restoration. An earlier report identified Toake alongside fellow Bergen County Academies students Muhammad El-Sherbiny, Elle Kim and Justin Ahn as co-founders of Re:Imagine Inc.

The students' project focused on restoring parks, forests and green spaces while addressing invasive vegetation and food waste. At that stage, the team had planted over 100 native keystone species and organised 12 trail cleanups to address erosion and littering.

Recognition through the Gloria Barron Prize

Toake's work was featured among the runners-up in the 2026 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The award recognises young people across the United States and Canada who have made a positive difference to their communities or the environment.

Reflecting on the project's development, Toake said his initial effort to restore land had evolved into something more enduring, centred on encouraging people to see themselves as responsible for the environment.

Implications for India

In India, where food waste and invasive plant species are significant concerns, the work of Re:Imagine Inc. could serve as a model for community-led environmental restoration. With its large population and diverse ecosystems, India faces unique challenges in managing waste and preserving biodiversity.

By adopting a similar approach to Re:Imagine Inc., Indian communities could develop their own innovative solutions to address local environmental issues. This could involve collaborating with schools, local businesses, and nature conservation groups to create a network of community-led restoration projects.

What to Watch Next

As Re:Imagine Inc. continues to develop its alternative herbicide and expand its community restoration projects, it will be interesting to see how the organisation's work evolves and inspires others to take action. With the growing recognition of the importance of environmental conservation, initiatives like Re:Imagine Inc. are likely to play an increasingly important role in promoting sustainable practices and community engagement.

Expert Perspective

Environmental experts and scientists are likely to be interested in the potential of using food waste as a sustainable solution for managing invasive plant species. As research in this area continues to grow, it will be important to consider the long-term effectiveness and environmental safety of such approaches.

In the context of India, where agriculture and food production are significant sectors, the development of innovative solutions for managing food waste and promoting sustainable agriculture practices could have far-reaching benefits for the environment and local communities.

Background and Timeline

The concept of using food waste as a herbicide is not new, but Re:Imagine Inc.'s approach is unique in its community-led and scientific experimentation-based methodology. The organisation's work began with a focus on restoring local parks and green spaces, and has since expanded to include the development of a food waste-based herbicide.

The timeline of Re:Imagine Inc.'s work is as follows:

• 2025: Toake and fellow students co-found Re:Imagine Inc. and begin restoring local parks and green spaces.
• 2025: The team receives third prize and a $2,500 award in the Bill of Rights Institute's MyImpact Challenge for their initiative.
• 2026: Toake's work is featured among the runners-up in the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Re:Imagine Inc.'s work in developing a food waste-based herbicide and promoting community-led environmental restoration is a significant step towards addressing the issues of food waste and invasive plant species. The organisation's approach serves as a model for other communities to follow, and its potential impact on the environment and local ecosystems is substantial.