How to Compost Your Food Waste

What can I compost?
What is not compostable? 
Map of compost can locations
Where is my food waste composted?
Tips for collecting food waste in your office
What are the program phases?
Green your campus event

Questions? Suggestions? Contact Tyler Dierks, Recycling Coordinator, 296-6290

What can I compost?

Fruits and vegetables
Grains: pasta, bread, rice
Animal foods: meat, dairy, cheese, eggs, bones and shells
Plants: flower bouquets
Tea bags, coffee grounds and filters
Food-soiled paper: plates, cups, and bowls; pizza and cake boxes; paper bags, napkins and towels from eating food. (The Health Department does not want paper towels from the bathroom nor facial tissue put in the compost due to contamination concerns.)
Approved compostable bags

What is not compostable?

• Plastics: coffee lids, straws, utensils and plastic bags. Put in a trash can. Better yet, use a reusable bag for shopping and a reusable mug for your coffee!
  
• Paper: The Health Department does not want paper towels from the bathroom nor facial tissue put in the compost due to contamination concerns. 
  
• Pet waste

Map of compost can locations

Green compost cans are located outside University Services, Engineering, Student Center, Casey, Pigott, Connolly Center, Administration, Hunthausen and Chardin Hall. Click the map for locations.

Where is my food waste composted?

Your food waste is hauled to Cedar Grove and turned into compost.

Tips for collecting food waste in your office

During phase 1, collection cans are located outside buildings. You may want to collect several days worth of food waste before carrying it to a can. Here are some tips:

• Collect food waste in a compostable Bio-Bag inside of a typical waste can. Bio-Bags can be purchased at Safeway or QFC. The whole bag can be put in the outdoor compost can.
• Collect food waste in a paper bag and keep it in the freezer. The freezer will prevent fruit fly reproduction. Put the whole bag in the compost can.
• Collect food waste in a plastic bag and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Empty the food waste in the compost can and either reuse or throw away the bag. (Do not put plastic bags with food waste in recycling.)

• Designate someone from your department to be the compost advocate. You might want to take turns collecting the food waste at your kitchenette and taking it out to our collection bins.

What are the program phases?

Pilot. In January 2008, a green compost collection can was placed outside the University Services building. In the first two weeks, over 50 pounds of compostable materials were collected, showing high demand for compost collection. In addition, two new exterior cans were placed next to it – a brown can for trash and a blue can for paper, plastic, glass and metal. These color-coded cans were also an aesthetic improvement over the worn out, aggregate covered cans.

Phase 1. In December 2008, 10 more trios of green, blue and brown cans were placed outside buildings.

Phase 2. Food waste collection inside Cherry Street Market, the cafes and catered events. Facilities and Bon Appetit are currently working out the details and logistics regarding compostable service ware, collection, transport, dealing with contamination and user education.

Phase 3. Food waste collection inside the Collegia, Residence Halls and other buildings. Staff time needed for collection and transport needs to be analyzed.

Green your campus event

Facilities has helped the organizers of large events such as Faculty/Staff Convocation, Mission Day and the New Student Barbeque achieve a goal of zero waste by collecting food waste. Facilities will deliver the compost cans and signage and collect the food waste after the event. The event host must buy approved compostable service ware, and staff at the compost cans during the event to prevent contamination.