AS Recycling Increases Composting Options on Campus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2010
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
AS Recycling Increases Composting Options on Campus
Associated Students Recycling hopes to increase its diversion of waste with a new composting program this year at California State University, Chico. [Photo at right shows some of the compostable items in use at the BMU Marketplace.]
Students and other diners are able to compost leftover food in new bins at the BMU Marketplace as well as napkins, plates and coffee cups that are also compostable.
CSU, Chico has composted at the University Farm for many years, but now the AS has contracted with Recology waste company to pick up material on campus for composting at its facility in Marysville. This contract will allow AS Recycling to expand their composting efforts on campus, while offering more composting alternatives to students, faculty and staff.
Eli Goodsell, recycling operations coordinator for the AS, said the AS hopes to continue improving its waste diversion percentage each year. The ultimate goal is zero waste by 2015.
Goodsell said the AS has already implemented “pre-consumer” composting at its kitchen facilities in the BMU, but this fall is the first time food service patrons will be able to compost their own food scraps.
During the Wildcat Welcome, composting was available at a luncheon for new students and their parents. Goodsell said that with the help of education and composting availability a 79 percent diversion of all material at the event was accomplished.
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