Compost
Simply put, compost is anything natural that comes from the earth that will decompose over time. This includes the following: food scraps, soiled paper, paper containers, tea bags, coffee grounds, and compostable plastics. At the University of Maryland, you can find compost collection bins throughout campus. Please limit contamination by only placing compostable items in these bins to become fertile soil for our landscape and Terp Farm.
Where to Compost at UMD:
Compost collection is currently available in numerous administrative, academic, and residential buildings on campus.
What can be tossed into campus compost bins:
- Food Waste: fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, etc.
- Soiled Paper: paper towels, plates, tissues, napkins
- Tea/Coffee: tea bags (with staples), coffee grounds, coffee filters
- Paper Containers: pizza boxes; compostable cups and cutlery; waxed and soiled paper take-out containers, cups, and plates (empty cups of all liquid before composting)
The Facilities Management Recycling Unit can provide compost collection to campus events for a small fee. For $20.00, FM staff will deliver up to four (4) compost bins, signage, and compostable bags prior to your event. This fee also includes the pick up of the compostable waste and collection material and transportation to the local composting facility.
To request this service please submit a work request through the Customer Response Center.
- Please note: This fee does not apply to events held in the Stamp Student Union. Ask your Stamp Events Coordinator if you would like compost bins for an event in the Stamp.
All compostables must be collected in approved bags. View the list of bags approved by the local composting facility.
Compost is created by the biological decomposition of organic material. Once compostable material undergoes this natural process, which can be accelerated by modern technology, the final product is useful for:
- Agriculture
- Erosion and sediment control
- Stormwater management
- Forest fire reclamation
- Sold to consumers to be used as a soil amendment instead of chemical fertilizers
Compost adds nutrients, organic matter, and microorganisms to soil! In contrast to the traditional recycling process, compostable materials are usually collected, processed, and distributed locally.
Why compost?
As listed above, there are numerous uses for compost. In addition, collecting materials for compost will:
- Conserve landfill capacity
- Reduce methane (a greenhouse gas) from landfills
- Reduce transportation of discarded materials
- MAKE COMPOST, a nutrient-dense fertilizer for plants!
The compostable material collected on campus is delivered to Western Branch, the Prince George’s County Compost Facility. This facility is owned and operated by the Maryland Department of the Environment and collects yard trim, Christmas trees, pumpkins, and other compostable material from within Prince George’s County and the surrounding areas.
The compost created through our partnership with Prince George’s County is also used at our own Terp Farm!
The Facilities Management Recycling Unit is working in conjunction with many campus groups to continuously expand compost collection throughout the UMD community.