"Diverting Ohio University’s biodegradable and compostable waste from the Athens-Hocking landfill will allow us to shrink our ecological footprint, reduce our waste management and landscaping costs, decrease pre- and post-consumer food waste, produce a valuable soil amendment, and create new learning and research opportunities for faculty and students," said Sustainability Coordinator, Sonia Marcus. Marcus also added that the project will serve as a model for the state, region and nation, as the largest in-vessel composting initiative at any university in the country.
"Our purpose is to keep Ohio growing while recognizing that our land, air and water can only give so much, can only recover so quickly," said Sean D. Logan, ODNR director. "These projects represent our belief that the sound management of our resources is not only the right thing to do morally, it is the right thing to do economically."
Biodegradable waste, like targeted recycled materials, is a valuable resource. Properly managed, it can be converted into a rich soil amendment which can be used for campus landscaping and local agricultural purposes. Currently, Ohio University has no established system for capturing organic waste from campus eateries including our public dining areas and our residential dining halls. Food waste ends up either in our dumpsters or in our sewer system.
The Ohio U. composting project was initially launched in January at the opening of the new Baker University Center. Customers and dining services employees at our new Baker University Center are now directed to sort out the biodegradable waste stream from other waste by using bins labeled "Compost". Results from this initiative thus far indicate that there is widespread support for the project, as well as a willingness to comply with new sorting procedures.
For more information, please contact Sustainability Coordinator Sonia Marcus, 593-0026 or marcuss@ohio.edu.
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