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Compostable Collection at Pitt

Aug 18, 2020

Everything you need to know about collection of compostables on Pitt’s campus!

Did you know that Pitt has a goal to divert 50% of food waste to compost by 2025?

You can help by diverting your compostables on campus! Composting uses natural decomposition to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for gardening. Pitt sends its compostables to an industrial compost facility. Pitt compost locations accept dairy products, meat, bones, bread and pastries, fruits, vegetables (any food stuff) even those not commonly accepted in backyard compost.

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

The following buildings are collecting compostables building-wide:

Barco Law
Benedum Hall
Eureka Building
Mervis Hall
O’Hara Student Center
William Pitt Union

The following residence halls are collecting compostables in shared kitchens:

Irvis Hall
Lothrop Hall
Panther Hall
Sutherland Hall (+Dining prep area)

The following compostable materials collection locations are ON-HOLD DUE TO COVID-19:

Events! As in the past, when in-person events are safe to hold, look for compost collection locations Pitt events — or request one for an event you are organizing (bottom of Get Active page)
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153 Benedum)
Farmer’s Market @ Pitt (William Pitt Union, 10:30am to 2pm — April through November)

While there are currently 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. Look for more building-specific collection locations for compostables to be rolled out in the future..

If you’re interested in learning more about composting in your own backyard at home, check out Pennsylvania Resources Council for basics, classes, & resources, plus Shadyside Worms & Worm Return for home systems.