Boston University
OP-T2-8: PostConsumer Food Waste Composting

Dining Services has been collecting post-consumer food waste in all residential dining halls since 2007. Our dish room staff is responsible for disposing of all food waste and compostables in the compost bin before washing dishes.

In 2010, we expanded post-consumer composting to include our student union food court in the George Sherman Union. In preparation for this the majority of our disposable to-go product types across campus were converted to compostable materials. Students are now able to dispose of their compostable waste at the Student Union, the Late Nite Café in all five residential dining halls, and several of our retail locations.

In order to reduce post-consumer food waste, Dining Services has started its first series of food waste audits this year. The goal of these audits is to observe food preparation practices and measure both pre- and post-consumer food waste, in order to reduce overall food waste.

A percentage of catering meals for which post-consumer scraps are composted is not available, but 1,291 staffed events each year are Zero Waste, meaning that all waste is sorted between compost and recycling. These events have attendance of up to 5,000 people. During commencement, 19 tons of compost and 13 tons of cans and bottles were diverted from the landfill. Our standard protocol for staffed events is Zero Waste. Non-staffed events have a Zero Waste option for a supplementary fee.