| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.51 |
| Liaison | Aimee Lemrise |
| Submission Date | Nov. 23, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Though our new compost facility is mentioned in other parts of our report, we believe that it qualifies for an innovation credit due to its innovative design and the cross-functional campus collaboration that is required for its success.
Since receiving the EPA permit at the end of 2015, our forced air composting facility, located on the university farms, started accepting food waste from our dining halls in spring 2016. All food waste, both pre and post consumer, from our dining halls is taken to the compost facility. This not only greatly reduces waste that would otherwise go to the landfill, but also produces high quality compost to be used on campus, returning nutrients to the soil and fertilizing, in some cases, plants that will provide vegetables to be served in our dining halls.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Since we started collecting dining hall food waste in the spring semester of 2016, we have diverted over 150,000 pounds of food waste from the landfill. We use the compost product on university farms and landscaping. Since some of the produce from university farms is served in the dining halls, the facility offers a full-circle food waste solution. The use of forced aeration composting virtually eliminates emissions associated with the methane that would be produced if the food waste were sent to the landfill.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | No |
| Research | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Air & Climate | No |
| Buildings | No |
| Dining Services | Yes |
| Energy | No |
| Grounds | No |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
This facility does not yet have its own website. However, here's a youtube video create to support student education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xaeeNUsu0
This facility does not yet have its own website. However, here's a youtube video create to support student education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xaeeNUsu0
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.