1. Food and Dining Composting at Clark University Dave Schmidt NACUBO April 1 st 2008

2. Why Compost? Close the loop Divert waste from landfills Reduce emissions

3. Genesis Student group project, spring 2006 Focused on waste from Clark Dining Services Proposed the installation of Earth Tubs Taken up by the Sustainability Task Force in fall 2007 Committee formed to conduct analysis

4. Annual Baseline Scenario 35 Yard roll-off compactor $150 / month for service charge = $1800 $115 per lift, once a week = $5980 $77 per ton = $18,249 (237 tons / year)

5. Earth Tub Scenario Purchase 3 Earth Tubs = $30,000 total Material can be cured and stored at arboretum, used on grounds Students estimated 57 tons diverted ~ savings of $4,400 / year Reduce pickup schedule to once every 2 weeks ~ savings of $3,000 / year Roughly 4 year payback

6. Earth Tubs - Bowdoin

7. Earth Tubs – Harraseeket Inn

8. Fatal Flaws Insufficient space on loading dock Odor issues and proximity to Admissions

9. We Care Scenario Tip at We Care Composting Facility Increase materials that can be composted Use existing waste hauler’s service and container Divert trash to a nearby compactor Increased hauling costs ~ $200 per lift Decreased per ton fee to ~ $60 No significant net cost increase

10. Planning Summer 2007 Scope – one building Committee of building occupants, dining service managers, and Physical Plant staff Developed plans for infrastructure, cost handling, and procurement

11. Implementing New bins Purchase compostable cutlery and service ware Divert trash from other buildings Design educational campaign targeting –Dining Services staff –Building users

12. Operations - Collections Collect materials from: –Food preparation –Post consumer waste –Containers within the building

13. Operations – Modular Bins

14. Operations - Collection

15. Operations - Education

17. Operations – We Care Handle all organic and biodegradable material, including waxed and soiled OCC Auger extracts plastic bags Prohibit “sharps” – anything that can puncture the skin of a worker Type 1 compost – permitted for unlimited distribution

18. Data Online at the end of August As of February 1 st, 145 tons collected Clark delivers a premium mix, only 5% is trash Composting program has offset 44% of total daily trash

19. Emissions Clean Air Cool Planet Carbon Calculator Daily waste handled in Mass Burn Facility 137 tons of trash generates (15) MT CO2e Mass Burn less CO2 intensive than grid 137 tons of compost generates (25) MT CO2 e Clark’s approach: consistent with WRI

20. Take Away Points Onsite = potential savings –Reduced pickup schedule and tipping fees Offsite = no net costs or added labor –Lower fee / ton balances higher lift fee Opportunity in a change in dining service Form committee of stakeholders early Substantially divert waste stream