University of Minnesota, Duluth
OP-23: Waste Diversion

UMD provides compost bins to collect food and other biodegradable waste. Food and other biodegradable wastes are actually a resource, because they break down into compost which returns to the soil. Students, staff and faculty at UMD can help save money (landfill tipping fees) and reduce emissions by diverting food/biodegradable waste into the compost bins. These bins are located all around campus with outdoor bins also available near the dorms. What can be composted at UMD? Food waste Tea bags and coffee grounds (cold) Paper towels and napkins Forks, spoons, and knives from UMD Food Court and UMD Catering Plates from Food Court and UMD Catering (excludes foam plates from Taste of Italia) Coffee cups and lids from Northern Shores, Food Court, and UMD Catering See: https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/campus-initiatives/waste/compost/

Food that comes off the Dining Center line the after the second time it is reheated, or food that is in trays that have less than half remaining, or overstock food that cant be used, is donated to the Northern Harvest Food Bank, which then distributes it to local food shelves around the community.

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) composts the pulped waste from the UMD Dining Center, as part of a large-scale, industrial composting program that began in late 2000. 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 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 from the Dining Center and prep kitchens, along with compostable materials from throughout the campus collected in over 100 locations. Please note: items are NOT composted on the UMD campus, but trucked to WLSSD's existing compost/yard waste site.

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) composts the pulped waste from the UMD Dining Center, as part of a large-scale, industrial composting program that began in late 2000. 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 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 from the Dining Center and prep kitchens, along with compostable materials from throughout the campus collected in over 100 locations. Please note: items are NOT composted on the UMD campus, but trucked to WLSSD's existing compost/yard waste site.