Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.75
Liaison Victor Udo
Submission Date Nov. 18, 2022

STARS v2.2

Bucknell University
IN-49: Innovation C

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
On-Site Digestion of Food Waste

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

An innovation toward attaining zero-waste status and 2030 carbon neutrality objective is the implementation of a bio-digesting process to divert food waste from landfill. These on-site food digesters use a combination of warm water, oxygen, and natural microorganisms to break down food waste into a liquid (gray water). This liquid is then drained down the sewer line to the wastewater treatment plant at Lewisburg Sewage Authority Facility. The process safely and environmentally disposes of food waste that would otherwise be taken to landfills. By minimizing food waste and diverting it from landfills, there are many positive environmental impacts such as limiting pollution at waste-dumping locations. After only around six weeks of operations, the digester diverted 14,500 pounds of waste from the landfill. As the digester is in operation longer, we expect even more positive impacts on sustainability at Bucknell. For instance, workers at Bostwick have already experienced waste diversion from the landfill and less waste to deal with in general.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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