Compost Program
OE&S Office Composting Program
The OE&S Office Composting Program (OCP) provides organic waste collection service to offices throughout campus in order to achieve compliance with California’s SB1383, which mandates the diversion of organic waste from landfills. The program began its pilot phase in Fall 2021, and has been rapidly expanding since, with Arts & Letters becoming the first fully participatory building as of Fall 2023. While this is a fairly new program, our interns have been hard at work getting more offices and buildings composting, and we look forward to seeing it grow into a campus wide initiative!
How it Works
After an office enrolls in the program, our two compost student assistants deliver a bin to the designated location. They collect organic waste from participants on a weekly basis and ensure the bins remain clean. The waste is weighed collectively each week, and this data is used to inform reduction efforts on campus as well as AASHE STARS reports.
OCP Spotlight
In October 2023, the Arts and Letters building became the first fully-participating building in our Office Composting Program!
OCP Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to clean out my caddy? → No! Our student assistants will empty and clean out your compost bucket or caddy for you.
How often will my caddy be serviced? → Student assistants will come by once a week to empty and clean out your compost. Specific pickup schedules will be sent out to all participating offices via email at the start of each semester.
What can I put in my compost caddy? → You can compost organic or paper materials that do not have any wax or plastic coatings, such as food scraps and paper towels.
Student Assistants in Action
April 2024
Compost Student Assistants spoke at the Office of Energy and Sustaiability's Second Annual Sustainability Summit and shared the progress of the Office Composting Program.
March 2024
EDCO hosted the Office of Energy and Sustainability for a tour of their Anaerobic Digestion Facility in Escondido to demonstrate how organic waste collected on campus is processed into compost.
February 2024
The Office of Energy and Sustainability partnered with Aztec Shops to educate students and staff on the introduction of compostable materials in campus markets and select dining locations.
October 2023
Our Sustainability Hub Open House connected the Office of Energy and Sustainablity with local community members and invited new offices to take part in our Office Composting Program.
Email questions to our compost interns at:
