Composting 101
Composting is a powerful tool in the fight against waste and climate change. Let’s explore how composting is crucial in achieving CSULB’s ambitious goal of eliminating campus waste by 2030.
What is Composting?
Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic matter into nutrient-rich soil. In this process, organisms such as bacteria and fungi convert food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials into soil. By diverting these materials from landfills, CSULB reduces its greenhouse gas emissions while creating a healthier environment.
What Goes in the Compost Bins on Campus?
Any type of food or beverage can be placed in campus compost bins as well as any food packaging or service ware made entirely of organic, fiber-based material. A good rule of thumb is that if it came from a plant, tree, or animal, it can be composted!
Refer to our Waste Sorting Guide for more specific details about what can and cannot be placed in the campus compost bins.
Where Can I Discard Compostable Items on Campus?
You can find organic waste bins or “compost bins” at the Nugget, the Outpost, Residential Dining Halls, the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center, and the food court inside the University Student Union. Compost bins will also be available at larger catered events held on campus (attended by 50 or more people).
See the interactive map for compost bin locations.
At this time, there are no immediate plans to install compost bins in other campus buildings or inside office breakrooms and kitchens. Due to staffing and resource limitations, we are focusing our efforts on areas where food is prepared and served in significant quantities.
However, if you are interested in participating in a voluntary composting program in your office, please contact sustainability@csulb.edu.
Why is Composting Important?
When food waste is processed incorrectly, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas with 80x more heat-trapping capacity than carbon dioxide. Over one-fifth of California’s methane emissions come from decomposing food waste disposed of in landfills. As part of its efforts to combat climate change, California passed SB1383 which requires all publicly funded entities to divert more than 70% of their organic waste by 2030.
In addition to being a critical strategy for reducing global warming emissions, composting is also important because it allows for organic material such as food scraps and soiled paper to be converted into a valuable resource. Once this material goes through the composting process, the finished product can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer or soil amendment.
Just like with recycling, this program's success depends on everyone to sort their waste properly when disposing of items.
Additional FAQs
No!
Unfortunately, most paper cups, plates, and to-go containers have a thin layer of plastic that lines the inside to increase the durability and longevity of their product when exposed to wet or greasy foods. When items have 2 different materials layered on each other it becomes difficult or impossible to recycle or compost them. Composting these materials would contaminate the entire batch with microplastics. Paper items lined with plastic (even bioplastics) should be thrown in the landfill trash bin.
When purchasing disposable cups, make sure that they meet the criteria outlined on the Organic Waste Diversion & Sustainable Food Packaging Guidelines page.
No!
Bioplastic including PLA are plastics made of plant-based materials that their manufacturers claim are compostable, however, this is only true when they are processed under very specific conditions. Unfortunately, there are very few industrial composting facilities (and none local to our area) that are capable of processing these materials. If these materials are thrown into the compost bin, they can contaminate the entire bin.
Because of this, it is best to put all compostable or bioplastics into the trash.
Yes you can!
Composting at home, even if you live in an apartment, can be a fun, low-maintenance project adaptable to almost any space restrictions.
There are several different home composting options:
If you have outdoor space, you can use a static pile method or a compost bin. Both will take around 3-6 months to create the finished product.
If you do not have yard space, you can compost inside with a vermicomposting system using worms. When done correctly, this method emits very little odor and produces worm castings and worm tea which can be used as a fertilizer.
In both cases, to avoid smells and pests never compost any meat, seafood, dairy, or oils.
Many cities provide a curbside bin for landscape waste. You can collect your fruit and vegetable scraps and add them to this green waste bin. Try keeping a bag or container in your freezer to collect these scraps while you cook to minimize smells.
If you live in Long Beach, you can also drop your fruit and veggie scraps at Long Beach Community Compost.
