composting poster

Rachel and I believe that knowledge is power! Being aware makes you proactive, and being knowledgable about composting will encourage participation. We created a poster of information to help make it easy for students to compost! POSTER

LETS ALL COMPOST!

At some point in our lives we all desire to start a revolution or help change the world.  When we talk about the state of our earth and its potential sustainability we are constantly faced with the desire to make changes.  Our society is increasing rapidly, yet our earth continues to have finite area and resources.  In our weekly ILS labs we have been looking at the sustainability of our planet and were given the task of improving our world. As we took on the challenge, my partner Rachel and I chose to think on the local level of the university campus.  We began by considering things, which we viewed most troubling in the current system.  Something we both feel rather strongly about is the garbage accumulation, which no doubt is enormous on a campus of this size. Especially finding that the average college student generates about 640 pounds of garbage per year (Tufts University). We both proudly agreed that there is a plethora of positive recycling options at the school.  These areas for recycling are plentiful as well as extremely conveniently located.  Yet we hadn’t ever seen a place where students could participate in composting. We saw this as a place where we could make our improvement, seeing as it could considerably cut down on our rubbish accumulation by diverting a significant portion of waste from landfills into something useful.

Initially Rachel and I began researching composting.  First we looked into the current composting system on campus along with its strengths and weaknesses. We found that UW recently started adding food to the compost recipe with great success.  This opens up many doors as it allows for immense options and opportunities to increase the quality of the compost. Also, we discovered that all university cafeterias have composting bins in their dish rooms to place compostable items taken off of trays and plates as they get cleaned.  This was an exciting finding as we had been concerned with the limited waste options in these main eating areas. Another positive finding was that We Conserve actually has two current locations for public composting options on campus. They are located in Grainger Hall’s Capital Café, as well as the Memorial Union (UW Madison).  Also, the Greenhouse Residential Learning Community has set up several composting locations in the dorms. Another on-campus organization, F.H. King, aids by transporting and utilizing the compost. These programs have many positive aspects, yet we feel they are struggling with getting information out about what is compostable as well as how to get involved.  These are the specific areas we intend to work on.

Next in my research I began looking into composting.  I found that as the materials were placed into the compost heap they use each other and microorganisms to begin breaking down compositionally. The rate of decomposition is highly affected by the ratio of nitrogen and carbon-filled items into the mix.  A composting mix needs sources that are higher in carbon than nitrogen.  The organisms in the composting mix use this carbon as energy in order to decompose the materials (Washington State University).  The nitrogen portion is important because the organisms use it to build their cell walls, which also depletes the carbon component.  This process, if unmonitored would increase the nitrogen portion while depleting the carbon component thus throwing off the necessary carbon: nitrogen ratio.  In order to combat this it is important to pay attention to place items with high carbon levels, such as papers, alongside items with low carbon levels, such as food scraps.

Following are some sample C: N ratios of organic matter:

Humus	10:1
Food scraps	15:1
Alfalfa hay	18:1
Grass clippings	19:1
Rotted manure	20:1
Vegetable trimmings	25:1
Oak leaves	26:1
Leaves, varies from	35:1 to 85:1
Peat moss	58:1
Corn stalks	60:1
Straw	80:1
Pine needles	60:1 to 110:1
Farm manure	90:1
Sawdust weathered 3 years	142:1
Newspaper	170:1
Douglas fir bark	491:1
Sawdust weathered 2 months	625:1

(Washington State University)

The most desired Carbon: Nitrogen ratio is 10 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. (Washington State University). While planning and placing items in their optimum places based on carbon content is ideal, it is also impractical on a large scale.  In a large-scale instance, such as a college campus, materials can possibly get sorted in an initial shredding process.  Another option for a large-scale operation is to simply mix all components and then use laboratory facilities to test the Carbon: Nitrogen ratio. Another factor to consider is the water content, which also affects the decomposition rate. If the mix gets too dry the materials won’t have an adequate metabolism in order to work, meaning they won’t decompose properly.  Yet, too much water will cause oxygen loss, which also decreases the rate of decomposition. The ideal water content is above 30% and its maximum limit depends on the materials used.  After taking care to use proper materials and methods, the materials added to the mix will decompose together forming a nutrient-rich soil called hummus (EPA).  This grand soil can then be added to plant soil or fields as a sort of enricher.  Meaning that with the use of composted soil plants won’t require additional fertilizers (USCC). This is because the composted soil adds nutrients to the plants allowing them to grow fuller and to grow abundantly.  When this compost is added, it gives the new plants being grown a healthy dose of positive nutrients such as nitrogen.  This nutrient-rich soil benefits the plants by giving them a dense place for their roots so they can grow stably. This also helps to cut down on erosion and turf loss. Ultimately, this is beneficial because there won’t be runoff from fields to contaminate water sources with their fertilizers (USCC).  For as we have seen in current days this problem has led to enormous algae blooms in bodies of water, as well as contaminated vegetables and animal meat.  Composted soil can also help plants to better retain their water since they aren’t loosing it all to the poor soil surrounding.  Another quite obvious and important benefit to composting would be the extreme reduction of waste, as about “27% of waste is compostable” (EPA). And lastly, a huge benefit from composting is the large reduction of methane into the environment. For, when food scraps decompose in landfills they let off methane, which is harmful to the atmosphere; and when foods are composted, this methane release can be contained and monitored (UW Composting Program). The vast amount of benefits to compost was overwhelming and inspiring as Rachel and I looked at improving our campus and global environment.

In addition to researching, Rachel and I compiled surveys in order to gather information such as if people were aware of composting and how to do it, if students were aware of any composting opportunities on campus, as well as if they would participate if it were available, and most importantly, what would be the most productive advertisement technique.   We were glad seeing that everyone at least had a vague idea of what composting is.  Yet we certainly found that few people actually knew what types of things were compostable.  Some people brought up fruit and vegetable scraps, and egg shells, which are all correct. Yet no one mentioned the plethora of other compostable materials like yard and hair clippings, clean paper and shredded newspaper, cardboard rolls, coffee grounds/filters, wool and cotton rags, and all other plants.  Also, no one listed any benefits other than garbage reduction or benefits to soil nutrients. I think that the lack of knowledge about what is compostable as well as composting benefits intensifies the lack of interest and participation.  We then asked if people were aware of composting programs or drop-locations on campus. Finding that about half of the people were aware of composting programs (all upperclassmen), and that most people have at least seen a location on campus to drop compostable items.  Yet, interestingly only a few people had actually participated in composting, even though they were aware of locations where they could contribute.  There was a solid opinion, however, that they would contribute if the drop locations were more conveniently placed where we could easily and frequently access them.  We then asked what would be the most effective advertisement tool to get information out about what is compostable as well as other helpful information.  Many people felt that posters would be most effective; especially posters attached to/placed near compost bins, which present instructions. Also spreading flyers, especially on tables where students could read as they sat or ate.  Several other suggestions involved technology such as emailing, utilizing facebook, or posting information on the dining hall televisions. Other suggestions to help get the word out were to print editorials in the campus newspaper, hold info sessions, and chalking. With the most popular suggestion being posters, we asked where would be the best place to post this information.  Most people said on the bins themselves.  They thought these bins should be placed in the unions, the memorial library, library mall, in all eateries, dorm trash rooms, and on State street.  The basic thought about location was that it should be in a place with high traffic where the most people would see the information and participate. This survey was very helpful to get an idea of students’ awareness and participation as well as gathering ideas of how to improve the current composting system.

The results from the surveys and the ideas brought up in them helped us decide how we would move forward.  In keeping with the most common idea, we have plans to readjust the arrangement and placement of waste receptacles.  We intend to improve the system by placing composting bins in more areas.  The places we believe would be the most important would be libraries, dormitory trash rooms, and the library mall.  We chose these locations because they were commonly suggested in the survey results as well being high traffic spaces.  In addition to having a higher amount of compost receptacles we intend to post information about what is compostable on the bins themselves or possibly on the wall they sit next to, if applicable. While this addition to composting opportunities would be a grand improvement to the system, we believe that the lack of understanding found in the survey results means that more information on composting must be spread.  Important information that must be unfolded would be on what items are and are not compostable, as well as the extreme benefits of composting. We think the best ways to motivate people is by informing them; so we want to provide multiple ways of spreading the knowledge. The ways we want to most effectively broadcast information would be placing information on the tables in the cafeterias so students can read up as they eat. I found the idea to post info on the televisions in the dining halls especially interesting as well. We also think it would be beneficial to post in the newspaper and on the UW website because these would provide the most factual and extensive write-ups. Then possibly chalking stats to help spread the idea of the need to compost as well as its benefits. We believe that by using many broadcasting techniques we can quickly and effectively spread the word in order to increase involvement.

As discussed, we have decided to use posters to advertise our mission. The posters are designed to be simple and effective at informing participants.  The posters include pictures and labels of acceptable and unacceptable composting contributions.  We chose items, which most often appear in cafeterias and residential areas to be placed in eateries, public places around campus, and the dorms. Also included on the posters is a short list of benefits on composting to help provide motivation and information.

In the progress of this project Rachel and I have educated ourselves on composting in many ways. We have learned the processes and methods as well as its struggles and immense benefits. We are excited about the results we were able to receive from our surveys, which greatly aided our movement. Thanks to the results we were able to develop several positive initiatives.  I feel exhilarated because all of our work has been following our goals we initially set out with.  This is especially uplifting because we will be helping to inform other people in ways they can reduce their waste.  I know that each of us can help to change circumstances and I hope that with our momentum we can make the world a better place.

 

Works Cited:

• composting 101 by the EPA http://www.composting101.com/                                           
• EPA http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm   
• NC State University large- scale composting http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01372.pdf   
• US composting council   http://compostingcouncil.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Compost-and-Its-Benefits.pdf    
• Tufts University composting program http://dumpandrun.org/garbage.htm     
• US composting council http://compostingcouncil.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Greenhouse-Gases-and-the-Role-of-Composting.pdf
• Washington State University http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_carbon_nitrogen.htm
• We Conserve http://www.news.wisc.edu/16767
• UW website http://www.housing.wisc.edu/sustainability/education

 

Composting Introduction

 

At some point we all want to start a revolution or help change the world.  When we talk about the state of our earth and its potential sustainability we are constantly faced with the desire to make changes.  In our weekly ILS labs we were given the task of improving our world. As we took on the challenge, Rachel and I chose to think on the local level of the university campus.  We began by considering things which we viewed most troubling in the current system.  Something we both felt rather strongly about was the garbage accumulation which no doubt is enormous on a campus of this size. Especially finding that the average college student generates about 640 pounds of garbage per year (Tufts University). We both proudly agreed that there is a plethora of positive recycling options at the school.  These areas for recycling are plentiful and extremely conveniently located.  Yet we hadn’t ever seen a place where students could participate in composting. We saw this as a place where we could make our improvement, seeing as it could considerably cut down on our rubbish accumulation.

Initially Rachel and I began researching composting.  First we looked into the current composting system on campus along with its strengths and weaknesses. We found that UW recently started adding food to the compost recipe with great success.  Also, we discovered that all university cafeterias have composting bins in their dish rooms to place compostable items taken off of trays and plates as they get cleaned.  This was an exciting finding as we had been concerned with the limited waste options in these main eating areas. Another positive finding was that there are actually two current locations for public composting options. They are located in Grainger Hall’s Capital Café, as well as the Memorial Union. This program has many positive aspects, yet they are struggling with getting information out about what is compostable and how to get involved.  These are the specific areas we intend to work on.

Next in my research I began looking into the benefits of composting.  I found that as the materials were placed into the compost heap they began to break down.  This decomposition occurs as microbes eat at the materials.  As the decomposition continues other, beneficial bacteria are created.  As a result, the materials break down into soil that is nutrient filled (EPA).  This grand soil can then be added to plant soil or fields as a sort of fertilizer.  When this compost is added, it gives the new plants being grown a healthy dose of positive nutrients such as nitrogen.  This nutrient-rich soil benefits the plants by giving them a dense place for their roots so they can grow stably. This also helps to cut down on erosion and turf loss. Composted soil can also help plants to help better retain their water since they aren’t loosing it all to the poor soil surrounding.  An additional benefit, which is huge, is that with the use of composted soil plants won’t require additional fertilizers (USCC).  This is especially beneficial because the runoff from fields wont contaminate water sources with the fertilizers (USCC).  For as we have seen in our current days this problem has led to enormous algae blooms in bodies of water, as well as contaminated vegetables and animal meat.  The benefit, which most people consider, is how the composted soil adds nutrients to the plants allowing them to grow fuller and to grow abundantly.  The other quite obvious benefit to composting would be the extreme reduction of waste, as about “27% of waste is compostable” (EPA). And lastly, a huge benefit from composting is the large reduction of methane into the environment. For, when food scraps decompose in landfills they let off methane, which is harmful to the atmosphere; and when foods are composted, this methane release can be contained and monitored (UW Composting Program). The vast amount of benefits to compost was overwhelming and inspiring as Rachel and I looked at improving our campus and global environment.

In addition to researching, Rachel and I compiled surveys in order to gather information such as if people were aware of composting and how to do it, if students were aware of any composting opportunities on campus, as well as if they would participate if it were available, and most importantly, what would be the most productive advertisement technique.   We were glad seeing that everyone at least had a vague idea of what composting is.  Yet we certainly found that few people actually knew what types of things were compostable.  Some people brought up fruit and vegetable scraps, and egg shells, which are all correct. Yet no one mentioned the plethora of other compostable materials like yard and hair clippings, clean paper and shredded newspaper, cardboard rolls, coffee grounds/filters, wool and cotton rags, and all other plants.  Also, no one listed any benefits other than garbage reduction or benefits to soil nutrients. I think that the lack of knowledge about what is compostable as well as composting benefits intensifies the lack of interest and participation.  We then asked about if people were aware of composting programs or drop-locations. Finding that about half of the people were aware of composting programs (all upperclassmen), and that most people have at least seen a location on campus to drop compostable items.  Yet, interestingly only a few people had actually participated in composting, even though they were aware of locations where they could contribute.  There was a solid opinion, however, that they would contribute if the drop locations were more conveniently placed where we could easily and frequently access them.  We then asked what would be the most effective advertisement tool to get information out about what is compostable as well as other helpful information.  Many people felt that posters would be most effective; especially posters attached to/placed near compost bins, which present instructions. Also spreading flyers, especially on tables where students could read as they sat or ate.  Several other suggestions involved technology such as emailing, utilizing facebook, or posting information on the dining hall televisions. Other suggestions to help get the word out were to print editorials in the campus newspaper, hold info sessions, and chalking. With the most popular suggestion being posters, we asked where would be the best place to post this information.  Most people said on the bins themselves.  They thought these bins should be placed in the unions, the memorial library, library mall, in all eateries, dorm trash rooms, and on State street.  The basic thought about location was that it should be in a place with high traffic where the most people would see the information and participate. This survey was very helpful to get an idea of students’ awareness and participation as well as gathering ideas of how to improve the current composting system.

The results from the surveys and the ideas brought up in them helped us decide how we would move forward.  In keeping with the most common idea, we have plans to readjust the arrangement and placement of waste receptacles.  We intend to improve the system by placing composting bins in more areas.  The places we believe would be the most important would be libraries, dormitory trash rooms, and the library mall.  We chose these locations because they were commonly suggested in the survey results as well being high traffic spaces.  In addition to having a higher amount of compost receptacles we intend to post information about what is compostable on the bins themselves or possible on the wall they sit next to, if applicable. While this addition to composting opportunities would be a grand improvement to the system, we believe that the lack of understanding found in the survey results means that more information on composting must be spread.  Important information that must be unfolded would be on what items are and are not compostable, as well as the extreme benefits of composting. We think the best ways to motivate people is by informing them; so we want to provide multiple ways of spreading the knowledge. The ways we want to most effectively broadcast information would be placing information on the tables in the cafeterias so students can read up as they eat. I found the idea to post info on the televisions in the dining halls especially interesting as well. We also think it would be beneficial to post in the newspaper and on the UW website because these would provide the most factual and extensive write-ups. Then possibly chalking stats to help spread the idea of the need to compost as well as its benefits. We believe that by using many broadcasting techniques we can quickly and effectively spread the word in order to increase involvement.

In the progress of this project Rachel and I have educated ourselves on composting in many ways. We are excited about the results we were able to receive from our surveys which greatly aided our movement. Thanks to the results we were able to develop several positive initiatives. I feel we are currently in a good place because our proposals all work towards the goals we initially sought out to work towards. We look forward to refining our point-of-view as well as creating mock-ups to help propose our ideas.

 

Works Cited:

• http://www.composting101.com        composting 101 by the EPA
• http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm   EPA
• http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01372.pdf    NC State University large- scale composting
• http://compostingcouncil.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Compost-and-Its-Benefits.pdf    (US composting council)
• http://dumpandrun.org/garbage.htm      Tufts University composting program
• http://compostingcouncil.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Greenhouse-Gases-and-the-Role-of-Composting.pdf      US composting council

surveys

Our project has been on studying the current composting systems at UW as well as their benefits and struggles. But we are planning on our main focus being how to get students more aware of the programs and how to best get everyone involved. Our next step is creating a survey which will ask questions to find out the most effective ways to reach students. We are currently compiling questions. We will be bringing the survey to lab to get input from our group. We will also be asking a wide range of other students to help get more feedback. We hope to use this feedback to guide us in ways we could improve and advertise the current composting system.

Composting Plans

Rachel and I were looking at ways we can improve our school and our world. We found that waste is an obvious issue for a campus of this size. We both believe that the school offers many positive options for recycling. Yet, a huge portion of waste..food, cant be recycled. To combat this students should be given opportunities to compost their foods. We discovered that there is currently a very positive compost system in place on campus, as we found that 150,000 tons of food waste was composted during the programs initial year. But since the two of us were unaware of it, we thought probably there were other students who also are unaware of this program. So, for our project Rachel and I are looking at the current composting system on campus and considering the benefits of the program as well as what is working and what isn’t. I realized that the system currently has only two drop points, therefore Rachel and I plan to find a way to make the program more accessible to students and staff on a larger scale. We also want to get the word out and inform more people of this positive program. To do this we plan to interview students and staff to come up with the best possible ways to reach students in order to inform them of the program as well as educate students on how they can participate. Finding ways to get students involved is vital in our opinion. And making it accessible and understandable is our goal. We really are excited to learn more and to get involved.