We are gradually scaling up collection of compostables across campus, with an aim to expand food waste composting to divert 50% of food waste to compost by 2025.
Pitt compostable collection locations accept any food stuff (fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, bones, bread, and pastries), even those items not commonly accepted in backyard compost because we send Pitt compostables to an industrial compost facility. Composting uses natural decomposition to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for gardening.
Materials accepted in campus compost collection stations include:
- Food waste of any kind
- Pizza boxes
- Coffee grounds
- Paper towels
- Napkins & tissues
- BPI-certified compostable dinnerware, cups, and utensils
- Shredded newspaper
- ASTM D6400 or D6868 certified products
The following buildings are collecting compostables in bathrooms and kitchenettes, unless otherwise noted:
- Allen/Old Engineering Hall/Thaw/SRCC
- Barco Law
- Benedum Hall
- Gardener Steel Conference Center
- Eureka Building
- Falk School (cafeteria only)
- Mervis Hall
- O’Hara Student Center
- Posvar Hall
- Petersen Events Center
- Thackeray Hall
- University Child Development Center
- William Pitt Union (bathrooms, kitchenettes, and each floor near the elevator)
Events With Compost Drop-off
Look for compost collection at Pitt events — or become a Pitt Green Host to request it for an event you are organizing.
- Public Market @ Pitt (William Pitt Union, Thursdays, 10:30am to 2pm — August through November) – Event dates
- Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153 Benedum) – Open for public drop-off during business hours when staffed.
While there are limited locations on campus that collect compostables on a regular basis, the Pitt Sustainability team is actively working to scale up campus-wide compost collection locations.
Compostables from our Pittsburgh campus are taken to AgRecycle‘s commercial composting facility in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
The University of Pittsburgh has a 2018 Pitt Sustainability Plan goal to expand the food waste composting program to compost 50% of food waste by 2025. Learn how we’re doing and/or follow along on our compost dashboard!
Learn to Compost Correctly
Download these slides or watch the video to learn what you can compost at Pitt.
At Home
If you’re interested in learning more about composting in your own backyard, check out Pennsylvania Resources Council for basics, classes, & resources, plus Carbon Compost Shadyside Worms Worm Return & Zero Waste Wrangler for home pick up, drop off, or systems.
The City of Pittsburgh also has emerging compost pilot programs.