Since 2004, CU has been composting in the Dining Halls, capturing over 170 tons of organic materials each year.  A large portion of this material comes from the prep waste in the Kitchens and the rest is from the "uneaten" food that is sent back on the dish line by those freshman who aren't cool enough to be apart of the Clean Plate Club... 

In 2007, the University Memorial Center (UMC) started composting "behind the scenes" and began to capture over 20 tons of organic material each year.  After a few years of success the UMC Grill converted all of the "to-go" ware to be compostable. With this conversion, we were able to set up compost bins to the public in the dining area! Compost bins were also added to the rest rooms to capture the used paper towels too, as they can be composted. Now, the UMC composts over 35 tons of organic materials each year.

 

Compost Totals from the Resident's Housing Cafes and Grab-n-Gos (2014-2015)
C4C - 716,372 lbs Darley - 194,885 lbs
Farrand - 30,880 lbs Kittredge Central - 3,340 lbs
Libby - 98,570 lbs Sewell - 96,738 lbs
Smith - 2,754 lbs Total = 1,143,539 lbs

 

Compost Totals from Campus Buildings (2014-2015)
Systems Biotech - 9,180 lbs Carlson Gymnasium - 908 lbs Duane/JILA - 3,026 lbs
Intermediate Procession Facility (IPF) - 13,946 lbs Leeds - 12,265 lbs Musuem Collections - 2,214 lbs
Power House - 1,002 lbs the Rec - 13,330 lbs Regent Administration - 3,420 lbs
Research Lab #2 - 1,646 lbs Stadium 1 - 16,998 lbs Stadium 2 - 2,249 lbs
the UMC - 125,601 lbs Wolf Law - 8,380 lbs Total = 214,165 lbs

 

The Compost Pilot Study in 2011 has proven successful in capturing organic materials from rest room compost bins and showed the potential for adding public composting to other buildings on campus. So now we are currently in the Compost Expansion phase to bring composting to all buildings on campus.

 

How it Works

The public composting bins in the buildings above are collected on a daily basis by our custodial staff (not all heroes wear capes!). Located above each bin is a gradsheet posted to instruct you on what is acceptable to place in the bin. Check out the "Acceptable Materials" page for some fresh knowledge! 

Also, check these out to see how composting is done throughout campus by individual students and staff memebers outside of Dining Halls.

- Fill your Mini Bin with only compostable materials

- Keep the lid on the Mini Bin to prevent smells and pests

Compost Mini-bin

- When full, bring your Mini Bin to the rest room and empty it into the Compost Bin

- If necessary, rinse out your Mini Bin in the nearest kitchen or break room sink (please don't rinse in the rest room as the sinks will clog)

This one is on you! Simply take any compostable materials directly to the rest room when you need to dispose of them

- Don't let not having a Mini-bin stop you! Yogurt containers work just as well

Currently we are testing composting in the dorms! Throughout the Kittredge complex, and even in Baker, we offer residents the chance to compost in their rooms. Using a mini-bin, yogurt container or something similar, students can bring their compost to the main lobby and dump it in the compost bins held behind the front desk. Eventually, the resident staff will empty the bin to the compost dumpster to be collected by A-1 Organics!

Take the Challenge by Composting and Recycling all of your waste and Get Rid of your Trash Bin!

If you didn't get a Mini Bin and would like one, or would like to request another Mini Bin, please email: cure@colorado.edu