Composting Project Contributes to Sustainability

One of the ways Truman is working to create a more sustainable community is through its Compost Project.

By collecting food scraps from University dining halls, the Student Union Building and the Starbucks in Pickler Memorial Library, the Compost Project utilizes an effective form of waste management. Excess food is taken to the University Farm where Compost Project student workers start the six-month process of turning it into valuable material used to replenish soil and act as a fertilizer.

Since it began in 2004, the Truman Compost Project has diverted more than 100,000 pounds of food scraps from the landfill annually. Compost can be used for a variety of farming and gardening needs. Material from the University Farm has been shared with Kirksville and Truman community members for projects such as The Green Thumb Garden and the Dancing Rabbit eco-village/intentional community.

Since the purchase of a screener, made possible with funds from the Environmental Sustainability Fee, finished compost is now being sold to gardeners and landscapers in order to generate funds for student internships.