Campus Composting at Utah State University

Utah State University Facilities installed a new Earth Flow compost unit Jan. 20 to handle landscape waste and post-consumer food from the university. The compost unit is a joint project of USU Facilities, a Blue Goes Green grant proposal by USU student Liz Winters and USU Dining Services.

“I’m excited that the composter will divert a considerable amount of waste from the landfill; the compost generated will be used in landscaping throughout campus, creating a positive loop and lessening the university’s environmental impact,” said Winters.

The Earth Flow compost unit receives approximately 1,200 pounds of food waste from the Dining Services and Aggie Ice Cream kitchens, as well as an additional 600 pounds of wood chips from Facilities Landscape Operations and Management. With a processing time of approximately three weeks, the first results will soon be ready to be used in campus landscaping.

As a signatory to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Utah State University has set a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. The compost system allows the university to reduce the amount of solid waste produced on campus by approximately 25 tons per year and reduce the resulting greenhouse gases.

“Composting is one of many ways USU is approaching the goal of carbon neutrality,” said Alexi Lamm, USU sustainability coordinator. “We hope to continue to reduce food waste on campus and compost what’s left. As we streamline the system, we’re looking for additional ways to divert food from the landfill through composting and source reduction.”

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Contact: Alexi Lamm, (435) 797-9299, alexi.lamm@usu.edu

Contact: Corey Cozzens, (435) 797-1707, corey.cozzens@usu.edu

Contact: Liz Winters, elizabethm.winters@gmail.com