Turning Waste Into Black Gold

The University of Iowa began composting in 2007, thanks to a group of undergraduate engineering students, the City of Iowa City, University Housing & Dining, Facilities Management, and many other partners.  Since then, organics collection has expanded across campus and now diverts over 800,000 pounds of materials from the landfill each year.

Current composting efforts on campus include:

• Pre- and post-consumer food waste collection in the University Dining Market Places at Burge, Hillcrest, and Catlett.  Learn how food pulpers make composting possible in the Market Places.
• Pre- and post-consumer food waste collection at the Iowa Memorial Union.
• Pre- and post-consumer food waste collection in the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics dining facilities.
• Individual departments have begun utilizing vendor services for compost collection within departmental breakrooms and/or kitchenettes.
• Many events on campus, large and small, incorporate compost collection into their event.
• Students living on-campus can enroll in the Residence Hall Composting Program to compost in their room.
• Students, staff, and faculty living off-campus can find options for composting at home.