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Composting on Campus

Composting on Campus. Katy Kresge Assistant Director of Residential Services Lehigh University MACUHO 2012. Goals. Outline the history of the residential composting program at Lehigh University. Identify successes and challenges of the program.

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Composting on Campus

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  1. Composting on Campus Katy Kresge Assistant Director of Residential Services Lehigh University MACUHO 2012

  2. Goals • Outline the history of the residential composting program at Lehigh University. • Identify successes and challenges of the program. • Identify opportunities for you to implement a program on your campus.

  3. What is Composting? • The natural process that occurs in nature resulting from the decomposition of organic materials. • Using a compost bin allows for the same process that occurs in nature to occur at an accelerated rate. • Composting is important because it significantly reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.

  4. History of Lehigh’s Residential Composting Program • 2008- “Green House” LiveLehigh! Community had composter installed funded by Residential Services. • 2010- Alpha Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon had composters installed funded by Green Fund grant. • 2012- Kappa Alpha Theta, Zeta Tau Alpha and Phi Kappa Theta installed composters funded by Residential Services.

  5. Phi Kappa Theta, July 2012

  6. How Does the Program Work • Chapter must complete a Composting Packet. • Information on how to successfully implement and coordinate program. • List of materials needed. • Composting agreement, which requires signatures from President, House Manager, Chef, Housing Corp./Alumni, Chapter Compost Coordinator and Residential Services.

  7. How Does the Program Work? • Residential Services purchases composter. • Composter installed over semester break. • Sustainability Coordinator runs frequent checks to ensure each composter is in good health. • Chapter keeps log of how much material is being composted and when it is being emptied. • When ready, the chapter issues a work order to have bin emptied and taken to local farm. • Chapter is given an end date for program at the end of each semester (last week of class).

  8. Materials Needed • The Composter • Lehigh uses Gaiam- Sun Mar 400 Retails for $499.00 *Funded by Residential Services

  9. Material Needed • Flyers and Signs explaining program. • Provided by Sustainability Coordinator. • Buckets, cleaning supplies & gloves. • Provided by Greek Chapter.

  10. Challenges • Smell • Equal parts green and brown materials. • Attracting Animals • Petri dish of vinegar deters animals. • Maintaining Active Composting • Pile should be turned every day. • Process should take two weeks. • Excess Material • Once a pile is started and turned, nothing else should be added.

  11. Challenges • Making sure the chapter is invested in the program long term. • Accreditation

  12. Successes • 125 lbs. of trash diverted per month/per house • 5,625 lbs. of trash diverted.

  13. Keys to Success • Group needs to be committed to program. • Expectations need to be clearly communicated. • Needs to be a plan of succession. • Administration needs to have frequent health checks of composter.

  14. Questions/Thank You! Katy Kresge Lehigh University kak411@lehigh.edu

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