Compost Pilot at LCV
UM Dining has led the charge for campus composting. Initially started in the Food Zoo, composting has since expanded to serve operations for the University Center Food Court, catering operations, and more. The Food Court is the first place to offer front-of-house customer-oriented compostable packaging that can be composted in dedicated bins throughout the Food Court and Commons area. Rise & Rooted began offering composting in their cafe in 2023.
Starting in spring 2024, we have started servicing compost bins in select locations throughout the UC Atrium. Also, starting in spring 2024, we are offering a pilot composting effort in our first academic building (Gallagher Business Building) to assess the demand and capacity to expand composting to other locations on campus.
Buildings currently offering compost bins:
- University Center
- Rise & Rooted
- Gallagher Business Building
Things that can be placed in UM compost bins:
- Any eco products sold by campus dining
- paper products (not lined with plastic)
- chop sticks, napkins, paper cups
- organic materials (including food scraps)
- coffee filters
- compostable utensils
Things that cannot be placed in the compost bins:
- Boba Tea Cups or straws
- Coffee cups not sold by campus dining
- plastics of any type
The University Center Food Court has introduced new Zero Waste stations to compost our post-consumer food scraps and compostable packaging materials. When you visit the UC Food Court and UC Commons make sure to learn about which items are and are not compostable and place your items in the appropriate bin.
Did you know that all food served and most of the packaging used at the UC Food Court is 100% compostable? EcoProduct-branded compostable materials can all be composted if sorted and sent to an industrial compost facility. We encourage everyone in the Food Court to sort their trash, recycling, and compostable materials into the appropriate bin. Once collected, the food and compostable packaging is sent to Garden City Compost in Missoula where it is combined with other compostable materials and turned into nutrient rich compost and topsoil available to the community.
Beginning fall semester 2022, UM's Rise and Rooted Cafe has initiated a similar composting program utilizing the same compostable bins and EcoProduct-branded compostable materials. We are excited about increasing composting opportunities on campus and look forward to offering more services when possible!
If you are interested in learning more or volunteering to help with this composting initiative at UM please email UM Sustainability or Campus Dining to inquire how to get involved.
The following video features one of our former student interns who helped introduce and track the composting program in the UC Food Court.
Please help us prevent contamination of our recycling and compost! The following signs are on the bins to help you sort your compostable items from the rest.
