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3.3.3 Case Study 3: A University Model
The New Mexico State University (NMSU, Las Cruces New Mexico, USA) Skeen
Compost Club (SCC) compost program and associated organic waste-diversion
educational materials was developed in 2017 by Dr. Ivette Guzman and the author
and several past professors and current students.
SCC developed educational signage in the department kitchen that demonstrated
what can be placed in the organic materials collection bins, including paper towels,
grains, breads, coffee grounds, tea bags, and vegetable and fruit scraps. As is common in smaller-scale compost systems, this no-meat no-dairy system was established to deter pathogen potential and potential compost processing vectors (i.e.,
rats, mice, and insects). Additional educational materials were created for the
department green house organic waste collection bins. Approximately 112 kg of
organic waste was collected and diverted from the local landfill during the in-school
months of September, October, and November in 2017, alone.
3.3.3.1 Small-Scale Waste Audit
Waste audits are important in determining total approximate waste generation and
volume estimates and can help determine the needed compost system size. Smallerscale waste audits can be easily conducted with the following steps:
1. Lay down three small-medium size tarps to separate organics, recyclables, and
landfill materials.
2. As a safety precaution, wear thick gloves, closed toed shoes, and long pants
while conducting the audit.
3. Separate the source material (from the waste bins), and weigh all materials on at
least 2 separate days to get a relative volume percentile for the organics, recyclables and landfill materials.
3.3.3.2 SCC Small-Scale Compost Program Development Learning
Lessons
A 1-gallon organic materials collection bin system was initiated in the department
kitchen area; however, patrons were often continuing to throw-away coffee grounds
and paper towels, in particular. Two other 1-gallon organic materials collection bins
with labeled “coffee grounds for compost” and “used paper towels – to be composted” were placed in strategic locations where patron bin-use was improved. This
simple step increased the overall organic materials diversion rates.
Collected organic materials bins are weighed, and the organic material is placed
in an outdoor compost processing bin. The outdoor bin was constructed from
recycled lumber and corrugated tin tops and metal handles. The compost system
3 SDG 2 Zero Hunger
3.3.3 Case Study 3: A University Model
The New Mexico State University (NMSU, Las Cruces New Mexico, USA) Skeen
Compost Club (SCC) compost program and associated organic waste-diversion
educational materials was developed in 2017 by Dr. Ivette Guzman and the author
and several past professors and current students.
SCC developed educational signage in the department kitchen that demonstrated
what can be placed in the organic materials collection bins, including paper towels,
grains, breads, coffee grounds, tea bags, and vegetable and fruit scraps. As is common in smaller-scale compost systems, this no-meat no-dairy system was established to deter pathogen potential and potential compost processing vectors (i.e.,
rats, mice, and insects). Additional educational materials were created for the
department green house organic waste collection bins. Approximately 112 kg of
organic waste was collected and diverted from the local landfill during the in-school
months of September, October, and November in 2017, alone.
3.3.3.1 Small-Scale Waste Audit
Waste audits are important in determining total approximate waste generation and
volume estimates and can help determine the needed compost system size. Smallerscale waste audits can be easily conducted with the following steps:
1. Lay down three small-medium size tarps to separate organics, recyclables, and
landfill materials.
2. As a safety precaution, wear thick gloves, closed toed shoes, and long pants
while conducting the audit.
3. Separate the source material (from the waste bins), and weigh all materials on at
least 2 separate days to get a relative volume percentile for the organics, recyclables and landfill materials.
3.3.3.2 SCC Small-Scale Compost Program Development Learning
Lessons
A 1-gallon organic materials collection bin system was initiated in the department
kitchen area; however, patrons were often continuing to throw-away coffee grounds
and paper towels, in particular. Two other 1-gallon organic materials collection bins
with labeled “coffee grounds for compost” and “used paper towels – to be composted” were placed in strategic locations where patron bin-use was improved. This
simple step increased the overall organic materials diversion rates.
Collected organic materials bins are weighed, and the organic material is placed
in an outdoor compost processing bin. The outdoor bin was constructed from
recycled lumber and corrugated tin tops and metal handles. The compost system
3 SDG 2 Zero Hunger