Brandeis University 2011 Case Study Composting FINALx

Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts Greener Resident Hall - Composting SCHOOL Brandeis University, Private, ate, years, 5,000, Waltham, Massachusetts ABSTRACT nstalled vermiculture bins in a Massell Quad and Village This project installed residence halls to reduce waste and pilot a Green Living hall Currently are creating enormous amounts of food waste which could be transformed into rich and useful compost to be used in Brandeis gardens Worm composting is the fastest way to compost, least stinky, and arguably also the most enjoyable for participants It is also affordable to get started and easy to maintain The compost created from the bins was used in the campus organic garden Educational programs were conducted for residents on the floors hosting the bins In addition, a sustainability themed living floor, or Common Cause Community called “Thinking Green” was launched for the 2011-2012 2012 Academic year in Deroy Hall, housing 20 environmentally minded students committed commi to doing sustainability service projects during the year GOALS AND OUTCOMES Goals fold: to decrease food waste, to The goal of the project was multi-fold: educate the Brandeis community about alternative methods of composting and waste reduction, and to act as a test run for how best to incorporate similar sustainable living practices into a sustainability sustainabilityoriented living learning community mmunity in Fall 2011 Another primary goal of this project is to educate the Brandeis community, especially about alternative composting strategies Currently composting is done in the dining halls using a commercial composting facility and some quads have outdoor composting bins Composting is often regarded publicly as difficult and not for everyone, requiring sufficient set up and outdoor space pace However, worm composting is easy, contained, and accessible to everyone The third goal is to use this semester as a test run of sustainable living practices which could potentially be incorporated into a sustainable LLC in Fall 2011, which incoming students would enter through an application process If successful, this eco eco-LLC LLC could become institutionalized at Brandeis and offered every year as a way for students interested in sustainability to learn more, experience living their values, and become inspired to spread the word about sustainable living practices National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 Future of Project: This project is easily maintained and won’t need more financial funding to be successful The C3 in Deroy will be taking care of the worms this year as well as a floor chosen in the Village Activities about Worm Composting will be planned by Eco-Reps The Sustainability Coordinator will make sure the worms have a home each summer and year The NaturaLiving Club will help take the compost to their garden plot Expanding worm composting could be possible if residence halls are interested, however funding wouldn’t be available from the BSF The worm composting will be part of expanded website content for 2011 about other composting processes at Brandeis Challenges and Responses The project was relatively simple to implement After receiving permission from the Department of Community Living the applicants worked to install the compost bins Volunteer students living off campus were found to “adopt” the worm bins for the summer The original proposal called for installing hooks for wash clothes instead of paper towel use, however, sanitation concerns prevented this element from being implemented Perhaps future BSF projects can deal with the issues of paper towel use- either by reduction or alternative disposal methods Campus Climate Action: Your School’s Carbon Footprint This project directly deals with waste reduction which can have carbon emission connections Transporting waste uses energy and creating compost out of food is a better use for applicable waste The compost also helps grow more local food in the community garden, further reducing transportation costs from importing food While this is a small scale change- it helps promote broader sustainability message in a fun and easy project ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT Leaders and Supporters The Department of Community Living was very supportive of the pilot project and committed to creating a C3 for upcoming years Cecelia Watkins, a senior taking the Campus Sustainability Experiential Learning Practicum, was the primary project leader who implemented the project- ordering and setting up the supplies She collaborated on the application with Emma Green, a student in the Green the Ivory Tower Class, interested in a green living floor Anna Jursik as CA in Deroy helped launch the program and was the first CA to take care of the worms Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Sustainability Coordinator helped organize summer pick up of the bins and relocation of them Funding and Resources Project Name Description A Greener Residence Hall Worms for composting Worm Composting Bin (2) A Greener Residence Hall Vendor or Website Manufacturer Total Amount Worm's Way http://www.wormsway.com/ $51.26 Worm Factory http://naturesfootprintinc.com/ $184.04 A Greener Residence Hall Total $235.30 National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 CONTACT INFORMATION Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Sustainability Coordinator, 781-736-4194 jannacr@brandeis.edu Case study submitted by: Janna Cohen-Rosenthal Image credits: Brandeis University National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 ... Ecology • 2011 CONTACT INFORMATION Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Sustainability Coordinator, 781-736-4194 jannacr @brandeis. edu Case study submitted by: Janna Cohen-Rosenthal Image credits: Brandeis University. .. worm composting could be possible if residence halls are interested, however funding wouldn’t be available from the BSF The worm composting will be part of expanded website content for 2011 about... them Funding and Resources Project Name Description A Greener Residence Hall Worms for composting Worm Composting Bin (2) A Greener Residence Hall Vendor or Website Manufacturer Total Amount