University of Minnesota, Duluth
Tier2-6: Post-Consumer Food Waste Composting

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) is using the Food Operations pulpers as part of a large-scale composting program; this started operating in late 2000 and will further reduce the amount of garbage entering the local waste stream. Additionally newly installed state-of-the-art pulpers in the Dining Center Dish Room and the Production Kitchen operate using recycled cool water; food grease (ultimately picked up by a local rendering company) is deposited in the pulpers and not in the waste water stream. Scrap food from the pulping operations is collected and mulched at the WLSSD, resulting in lower tipping fees for the University. This very successful operation has been featured on local media outlets and the finished product provides a high quality fertilizer to area residents, proving also to be a profitable venture for the WLSSD. Items composted through this program features both pre- and post-consumer food waste. Please note: items are NOT composted on the UMD campus, but trucked to WLSSD's existing compost/yard waste site.