COMPOST OUTPOST
The ASCP team takes on full compost operations!
What are we doing?
The Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP), the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), and our partner institutions, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver), Community College of Denver (CCD), and University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), are diligently working to advance our waste initiatives on campus. The ASCP is committed to achieving a 35% diversion rate by 2024, in alignment with the community-supported Climate Action Plan. To meet this target, students and the Student Advisory Committee have approved a $3 increase in student fees to support waste diversion efforts through the Compost Referendum (2020), encompassing the comprehensive handling of organic waste collection and processing on campus.
With an annual waste generation of 2.5 million pounds and an average diversion rate of 28.8%, the newly established compost operation, led by the ASCP, aims to process between 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of organic material annually. This initiative is fortified by a Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) grant of ~$123,000 from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the ASCP Compost Referendum Fee. The project encompasses expanding compost receptacles, mandating certified compostable to-go ware for food vendors, implementing rigorous compost sorting procedures, utilizing an in-vessel composter for processing, and returning the nutrient-rich compost to nourish campus trees and plants. We extend our gratitude to all the key departments involved, including AHEC Planning, Grounds, Facilities, and Finance, for their contributions in bringing this initiative to fruition. The combined efforts of the ASCP, our partner institutions, and the wider community will result in an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective organic waste management system.
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Have questions about compost? Reach out to Rylee McCone (303.556.8046 or mcconer@ahec.edu) for information about events, education, & outreach. Contact Robbie Tepperberg (tepperbergr@ahec.edu) for information about operations & hauling.
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reCYCLE
Organics
Tricycles
are here!
The ASCP has brought an innovative spin on compost (organics) collection on campus with two new custom-built electric tricycles for compost (organics)!
Our compost operations manager, Robbie Tepperberg, has been working with @mainstreetpedicabs to fabricate
e-trike pedicab trucks uniquely for our operations. Inspired by @Scraps and @tilthyrichcompost, who both have used bikes and e-trikes for organics collection in the past, we believe this is an excellent model for a campus setting such as ours.
The e-trikes are electric assist and can carry just under 1000 lbs. when fully loaded. By collecting organics on e-trikes from our vast campus area, we are not only eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels, but also increasing our efficiency in supporting the sustainability efforts we are making here on campus. This awareness building, combined with the growing support of all institutions, vendors, and events will contribute to our 2024 goal to divert 35% of waste from the landfill. When you see us riding around campus, please feel free to stop us to ask questions about the ASCP, composting, proper waste disposal, and other program initiatives.
Compost Operation highlighted in the news
"Closed-loop compost system paves the way for a sustainable future"
October 01, 2024
This video explains our unique in-house compost system and how we overcame new restrictions on Denver's city compost collection restrictions. Read more here.
"CU Denver Partners Help Auraria Campus Go Green"
Ocotber 01, 2024
This article highlights our Ribbon-Cutting event to celebrate the official opening of our compost vessel.
Auraria Newsletter
October 04, 2024
Auraria Campus takes the time to celebrate the launch of the compost vessel and the beginning of a new and improved compost system on campus.
