Compost

By composting, we can contribute to a more sustainable future while supporting the growth and development of our communities. At UCSD, students can conveniently bring their collected food waste and select organic products to community gardens, compost collection bins, or dumpsters provided by our waste hauler, EDCO. Learn more about composting at UCSD by clicking on the dropdown menu.

What is composting?

Composting is a highly beneficial process that aids in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and generates valuable soil additives that can be utilized by local communities. Instead of discarding food waste and other organic materials, they can be collected and turned into usable fertilizers for plants. To create a compost pile, people often add brown matter, such as paper and water, while ensuring there is enough air (oxygen) for microorganisms to properly digest the food waste.

Where can I compost?

All HDH Dining Restaurants
Community Gardens
- Roger’s Garden (behind Che Café)
- Ellie’s Garden (ERC)
- Warren Grow (Warren)
- Grad Family Housing Community Gardens (GFH)
**Reminder: all gardens except Roger’s Community Garden do not accept animal products
Compost Drop Off locations (administered by the SSC)
- Seventh Market
- MOMs
- New locations coming soon!
Undergraduate Residence Halls
- Updated Where To Compost Guide
Grad and Family Housing:
- Mesa Nueva
  - Green Waste Dumpster located by Trash Compactors next to Cala
  - Compost Bins located by BBQ areas
- South Mesa Apts
  - Compost Bin next to Trash Enclosure at Bldg. 9156
  - Compost Bin in Trash Enclosure between Bldgs. 9142 & 9152
- Central Mesa Apts
  - Compost Bin next to Trash Enclosure at Bldg. 9238
  - Compost Bin next to Trash Enclosure at Bldg. 9264
- La Jolla Del Sol
  - Green Waste Dumpster or Compost Bin in Trash Enclosure for Bldg. 8186
- Coast Apts
  - Green Waste Dumpster in Trash Enclosure near Bldg. 9344

What can I compost?

Compostable at UCSD

Not compostable at UCSD

Fruits/Vegetables/nutshells
Prepared Foods
Food-soiled paper and cardboard
Newspaper (good to line compost buckets with!)
Non-diseased/Healthy plants
Natural fibers
- Jute (burlap), hemp, and cotton (not mixed with plastic)
Animal Products
- Hair and fur
- Dairy products/eggs
- Meat, fish bones, scraps (Only at Roger’s and dumpsters)
Flower, Plants, Wooden (Birch) Utensils
- Yard trimmings, including leaves, grass clippings, hay, straw, sawdust, and wood
Coffee grounds/filters
Tea bags (only ones that aren’t made of plastic)
- General rule: if the bag feels like plastic, you can play it safe by opening the bag, composting the tea leaves, and throwing away the plastic tea bag

All plastic, biodegradable plastic
- “Compostable” bags
Oil, fats, and grease (large amounts)
Diseased plants
Pet feces + litter
Yard trimmings and wood treated with chemicals
Bamboo products
Bagasse paper
PLA products
Glass, metal, and plastics
Rocks, concrete
Diapers

How do I compost?

UCSD Waste Sorting Guide -contains important composting information
Social media content related to composting

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Compost tips:
- Freeze your compost to delay decay
- Line your buckets with compostable material like newspaper or unbleached paper towels to absorb moisture and prevent leaking.
- Choose a sealable storage container and place it somewhere that is easily accessible
- Take out your compost regularly! Every 3-7 days is recommended.

Why should I compost?

To go zero waste
- Composting is an essential zero-waste behavior
- UCSD is working towards becoming a zero-waste campus, but we need every Triton to compost in order to get us there.
Environmental reasons
- Combats climate change
  - The breakdown of organic waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas that, on decadal timescales, has 80-100 times the heating potential of carbon dioxide.
  - In San Diego, about 40% of landfill waste is organic. In the United States, organic waste accounts for 51.4% of the municipal solid waste sent to landfills. Globally, organic waste accounts for 46% of the municipal solid waste sent to landfills, producing an average of 469 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions per million metric tons of organic solid waste. All of this organic waste can be composted instead!
  - Diverting organic waste from landfills would reduce these greenhouse gas emissions by over 50%, limiting the impact we have on the climate.
- Prevents soil erosion
- Improves stormwater retention/management
  - Conserves water
- Promotes healthy plant growth
  - Adds nutrients and improves soil’s ability to hold nutrients
  - Balances soil density (healthier root development) and pH
  - Suppresses pests and diseases
  - Discourages certain weeds
Societal reasons
- The County of San Diego found that 500,000 tons of food waste are produced in San Diego every year
Economic reasons
- Reduced maintenance costs (for agriculture/gardening)
  - Lowers irrigation costs due to increased water conservation
  - Compost provides free and accessible fertilizers to campus community gardens, which lowers the cost of gardening.

Sources

How do I get involved?

RA Events
- The EcoNauts collaborate with RAs across campus to organize events centered around sustainability. These events often feature a crafting activity, such as decorating compost buckets, for which we provide participants with a free compost bucket and decorating materials. Please contact your RA to schedule an event with us.
Student Sustainability Collective (SSC)
- As part of its commitment to sustainability, the SSC offers a Food Scrap Drop-Off Program that provides interested UCSD undergraduate students with a complimentary compost bucket. Please sign up.
Community Gardens
- Looking to get involved in the composting process? Check out the community gardens that offer composting services and volunteer opportunities to students.
  - Roger’s Community Garden (behind Che Café)
  - Ellie’s Garden (ERC)
  - Warren Grow (Warren)
  - Grad Family Housing Community Gardens (GFH)