University Campus Composting Programs: Initiatives for the Future

The purpose of this discussion is to examine two successful attempts at university-wide composting initiatives in the United States: Bobcat Blend at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, and a composting program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Initially funded in 2006 through partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bobcat Blend is one of the only student-operated composting programs in the nation and won awards from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in both 2012 and 2013. Students manage education of students and staff, food waste management, compost creation and sales of compost to university faculty and local community gardens.  The composting program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa was initially funded in 2012 by a University of Hawaii at Manoa Graduate Student Organization Greening Initiative Grant.  The Graduate Student Organization of the University of Hawaii, Manoa campus created the Campus Greening program in order to move the campus towards more sustainable environmental practices.  The grant was awarded to the student organization SOFT (Student Organic Farm Training) and provided stipends for the students involved.  Similar to the Texas State University composting program, students at the University of Hawaii manage education of students and staff, food waste management, compost creation and applying compost to the agriculture research stations and farms on campus.  This discussion will investigate the viability of similar endeavors across the country and allow for enhanced discussion of how similar programs can be initiated and learn from one another’s successes.