Illinois State University is making strides in educating its campus community on the environmental benefits of composting and how to compost properly.
The Office of Sustainability at Illinois State University was selected as one of eight finalists in the US Composting Council’s (USCC) Emerging Composter Challenge for its campus compost kiosk program. Office of Sustainability staff shared about the campus compost kiosks at the annual USCC Compost Conference in Phoenix at the end of January.
Illinois State’s campus compost kiosk program was recognized for its innovation in composting by focusing on education to reduce contamination. This program, unlike many other campus composting programs, educates consumers about composting ahead of providing access to compost bins.
These innovative campus compost kiosks provide a unique and interactive way for students, faculty, and staff to contribute to sustainability efforts while learning about proper composting practices. Campus community members who would like to participate in the program take a short quiz, answering questions about what can and cannot be composted. Once the quiz is completed, participants receive a four-digit code that can be used to access any of the kiosks. These steps are important so that campus members are educated, but they also reduce contamination, which is a considerable problem for compost facilities.
Participation in the compost kiosk program helps the environment. The USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates that 30-40% of the food supply is wasted. The Environmental Protection Agency further estimates that 60% of that wasted food is sent to landfills where the rotting food creates methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Composting diverts food waste from the landfill by taking wasted food and recycling the nutrients from the food back into soil. Compost improves soil health, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and contributes to an overall more sustainable ecosystem.
Serviced by Better Earth Logistics, a commercial compost facility in East Peoria, three compost kiosks are conveniently located outside of the University’s main dining facilities: Watterson Towers, Linkins, and on the plaza between the Bone Student Center and Milner Library.
Learn more about the compost kiosks at Illinois State and just how easy it is to use them by viewing the short video below or by visiting the Office of Sustainability website for more information.
