Green Mountain College
Tier2-6: Post-Consumer Food Waste Composting

The GMC Compost Program is directed by the Sustainability Office. A work-study funded Compost Coordinator and SCGF funded (temporary) Assistant Compost Coordinator are responsible for daily collection of compost from kitchen/dining hall and transportation of compost to Cerridwen Farm. Food scraps are fed to pigs (when appropriate) and all other food waste is put into rotating compost piles. Leaves from campus operations are used as source of nitrogen, as are animal manures. Compost Coordinators work with Farm Manager for direction on compost pile processing. Compost coordinators are responsible for weighing compost and keeping records of amounts of waste diversion for Sustainability Office. During a trial period, compost is being collected from 4 residence hall floors on a weekly basis. Compost coordinators are responsible for educational outreach and volunteer recruitment. Composted at GMC: Non-meat waste from the dining hall is composted, as well as animal manures from late fall to mid spring. All college leaves are used in either the composting process or as mulch on the vegetable fields. Worms perform a large portion of the composting process and are plentiful in the compost piles. Compost is primarily used by the farm, and helps produce beautiful vegetables for the dining hall, Poultney Farmers’ Market, and CSA shares! During the 2010-2011 academic year, 7000 lbs of dining hall waste was processed in the compost piles on the farm.