University of Montana
OP-T2-8: PostConsumer Food Waste Composting

• UM's primary waste reduction method involves two types of machines and collaboration with the PEAS Farm, a university owned program. Kitchen and post-consumer food waste along with napkins and biodegradable corn-based utensils are sent through the system. It begins with a Hobart WastePro 1200 Pulper. The machine transforms food and solid waste into a semi-dry pulp, reducing waste volume by up to 88%. The pulper recycles its water while in operation, reducing water use by 66% from normal garbage disposals. It also provides a useable pulp product rather than sending food waste down to the treatment plant. The product from the pulper is then transferred to our Somat eCorrect 100 machines. We have found that these machines turn 210 pounds of post consumer waste into 30-40 pounds of a nutrient rich material that could be used as a mulch or soil amendment. These further reduce waste volume by 80-90% without the use of fresh water or chemicals, all in less than 24 hours. The light weight material that comes out of the Somat eCorrect dehydrators is then ferried up to the PEAS Farm by a group of student volunteers, where it’s incorporated into their windrow composting system. Dining Services will benefit by receiving compost from the PEAS Farm for on-campus gardening efforts.