University of Kentucky introduces new on-campus composting facility
The new system to turn food waste into compost for soil will allow the campus to work toward its goal of becoming a zero-waste campus by the year 2030.
The University of Kentucky has implemented a new on-campus composting system and has opened a new facility to accommodate the turning of food waste into soil compost. The university’s goal is to become a zero-waste campus by the year 2030, and this new facility is seen as a major step in the right direction to accomplish that goal. The new on-campus facility is replacing the previous system that saw the school transporting its food waste daily to Woodford County, which eventually placed a strain upon the school’s resources.
According to an article on the University of Kentucky’s website, Shane Tedder, who serves as the facilities services and sustainability director at the university, explained the old partnership the school had to take care of food waste. He is quoted as saying, “Our partnership with the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment was instrumental to our efforts to launch food waste diversion efforts and is still vitally important. The team at the C. Oran Little Research Facility continues to be a key partner and is willing to accept material when issues arise with the on-campus system.”
The UK Recycling and UK Sustainability in Facilities Management departments have come together to create the new system and facility for the management of the campus’ daily food waste, eliminating the need to transport the waste to another location every day. The new facility was made possible via a grant received in 2022. Facilities Management built the facility, and UK Grounds assists with daily operation tasks associated with the composting process.
As of last month, the system is fully operational. Food waste from all campus dining locations, athletics facilities, and some residence halls are now collected daily and transforms the food scraps into usable compost within weeks. That compost will become mulch and will be used in flower beds and campus turf.
Corey Baker, grounds manager at the university, explained, “We’re excited about using compost as a more organic approach to support our plants on campus. We will also be top dressing our turf across campus which will improve soil health and our stormwater management by helping nutrients and water soak into the soil rather than run off.”
Erin Hafner, the director of sustainability in UK Dining, shared her thoughts on the benefits of the new system. She said, “UK Dining is looking forward to the opportunities that the new composting system will create for further expansion of our food waste collection program, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by transport. Having a compost facility on campus will be a win for our operations and the environment.”
For more information about the University of Kentucky, visit the school’s website.