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Compostable Collection at Pitt

Nov 20, 2019

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 now collecting compostables building-wide:

Barco Law
Benedum Hall
Eureka Building
Mervis Hall
O’Hara Student Center
William Pitt Union
Irvis Hall (in shared kitchens)
Lothrop Hall (in shared kitchens)
Panther Hall (in shared kitchens)
Sutherland Hall (in shared kitchens & Dining prep area)

The Pitt community can bring compostable materials at the following locations:

All Weekdays (Regular business hours) – Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (153 Benedum)
Every Thursday at the Farmer’s Market @ Pitt (William Pitt Union, 10:30am to 2pm — April through November)
Events! Look for compost collection locations at a growing number of Pitt events — or request one for an event you are organizing (bottom of Get Active page).

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 will be rolled out this Fall.

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.