Cal Poly has a Compost Problem...
What's so special about compost?
The ability to compost diverts waste away from landfills, where the organics rot and release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere; a greenhouse gas 28 times as potent as Co2.
When used correctly, composting can often be cheaper than sending waste to landfills, for Cal Poly and hence the students.
And among many more benefits, compost helps to save the diminishing topsoil health in the United States caused by large scale farming practices. Healthier soil, healthier food.
So, where are the compost bins?
Ever had a meal at Campus Market? What about food trucks? You may have noticed that, although some of your waste can certainly be composted, there's nowhere to put it! The trash bins in the area are overflowing with content being sent to the landfill.
Cal Poly does contain compost bins in its two major dining areas, 1901 and Vista Grande, but those are far from the only locations students enjoy their food.
Even more surprisingly, continuing students in PCV or Cerro Visto Apartments don’t have access to compost either! All those eggshells, banana peels, and way more are forced straight into the garbage.
Cal Poly fails to live up to California's relative waste disposal:
Where does the existing compost go?
Over a decade ago, Cal Poly stopped sending its post-consumer waste to facilities. That means, even if there are more compost bins, they still go straight to landfill regardless.
The main issue? Contamination.
Plastic and other contaminates in the wrong bin plague all post-consumer composting programs; it's the same reason Cal Poly removed it’s PCV compost dumpster in 2023. Too many misplaced substances prevented the rest of it from being properly handled, and increased cost for everybody.