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.
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 |
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.
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