Rudy Sager and Al King from Facilities Management hoist one of the new yellow compost bins now located in the foyers of each building on campus.
Compost program expands across campus
The flowers you see today might be the product of yesterday’s lunch. The campus composting program has recently been expanded so it’s easier than ever to get involved in turning unwanted organic material into a valuable soil amendment for campus plantings.
Bright yellow compost bins are now located in the main-floor foyers of each building on campus, ready to receive discarded food waste and other organic material — everything from banana peels to coffee grounds. Smaller bins will also be placed in collegia and lunchrooms across campus. Three times a week, Facilities Management will collect the organic material and add it to the campus composter — a giant (4,000 lb. capacity) “Earth Tub.” The decomposition process will produce a product to enhance soil quality in campus gardens and flower beds, keeping these organics out of the landfill.
The composing bins are the latest addition to an ongoing effort to prevent recyclable materials from entering the landfill. Last summer, designated recycling stations and signage were installed in every building. Watch for the recycling stations in a location near you — now with yellow bins for your compostables.
To find out more about composting on campus, visit: www.ubc.ca/okanagan/sustainability/sustcamp/operations/waste
