Brandeis University 2011 Case Study Composting FINALx

ABSTRACT This project installed vermiculture bins in a Massell Quad and Village residence halls to reduce waste and pilot a Green Living hall.. GOALS AND OUTCOMES Goals The goal of th

Greener Resident Hall

SCHOOL

Brandeis University, Private, 4 years, 5,000, Waltham, Massachusetts

ABSTRACT

This project installed vermiculture bins in a Massell Quad and Village

residence halls to reduce waste and pilot a Green Living hall

creating enormous amounts of food waste which could be transformed into

rich and useful compost to be used in Brandeis gardens Worm composting

is the fastest way to compost, least stinky, and arguably also the most

enjoyable for participants It is also affordable to get started and easy to

maintain The compost created from the bins was used in the campus

organic garden Educational programs were conducted for residents on the

floors hosting the bins In addition, a

Common Cause Community called “Thinking Green” was launched

2011-2012 Academic year in Deroy Hall, housing 20 environmentally minded students commi

doing sustainability service projects during the year

GOALS AND OUTCOMES

Goals

The goal of the project was multi-fold: to decrease food waste, to

educate the Brandeis community about alternative methods of

composting and waste reduction, and to act as a test run

to incorporate similar sustainable living practices into a sustainability

oriented living learning community in Fall 2011

of this project is to educate the Brandeis community, especially about

alternative composting strategies Currently composting is done in the

dining halls using a commercial composting facility and some quads have outdoor composting bins Composting is often regarded publicly as difficult and not for everyone, requiring sufficient set up and outdoor space However, worm composting is easy, contained, and accessible to everyone The third goal is to use this semester as a test run of sustainable living practices which could potentially be

incorporated into a sustainable LLC in Fall 2011, which incoming

application process If successful, this eco

every year as a way for students interested in sustainability to learn more, experience living their values, and become inspired to spread the word about sustainable living practices

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts Greener Resident Hall - Composting

ate, 4 years, 5,000, Waltham, Massachusetts

nstalled vermiculture bins in a Massell Quad and Village

residence halls to reduce waste and pilot a Green Living hall Currently are

creating enormous amounts of food waste which could be transformed into

rich and useful compost to be used in Brandeis gardens Worm composting

is the fastest way to compost, least stinky, and arguably also the most

It is also affordable to get started and easy to The compost created from the bins was used in the campus

organic garden Educational programs were conducted for residents on the

In addition, a sustainability themed living floor, or called “Thinking Green” was launched for the

2012 Academic year in Deroy Hall, housing 20 environmentally minded students commi

doing sustainability service projects during the year

fold: to decrease food waste, to educate the Brandeis community about alternative methods of

composting and waste reduction, and to act as a test run for how best

to incorporate similar sustainable living practices into a

sustainability-mmunity in Fall 2011 Another primary goal

of this project is to educate the Brandeis community, especially about

Currently composting is done in the dining halls using a commercial composting facility and some quads have outdoor composting bins Composting is often regarded publicly as difficult and not for everyone, requiring sufficient set up and

pace However, worm composting is easy, contained, and accessible to everyone The third goal is to use this semester as a test run of sustainable living practices which could potentially be

incorporated into a sustainable LLC in Fall 2011, which incoming students would enter through an application process If successful, this eco-LLC could become institutionalized at Brandeis and offered every year as a way for students interested in sustainability to learn more, experience living their values,

inspired to spread the word about sustainable living practices

2012 Academic year in Deroy Hall, housing 20 environmentally minded students committed to

dining halls using a commercial composting facility and some quads have outdoor composting bins Composting is often regarded publicly as difficult and not for everyone, requiring sufficient set up and

pace However, worm composting is easy, contained, and accessible to everyone The third goal is to use this semester as a test run of sustainable living practices which could potentially be

students would enter through an LLC could become institutionalized at Brandeis and offered every year as a way for students interested in sustainability to learn more, experience living their values,

Future of Project:

This project is easily maintained and won’t need more financial funding to be successful The C3 in Deroy will be taking care of the worms this year as well as a floor chosen in the Village Activities about Worm Composting will be planned by Eco-Reps The Sustainability Coordinator will make sure the worms have

a home each summer and year The NaturaLiving Club will help take the compost to their garden plot Expanding worm composting could be possible if residence halls are interested, however funding

wouldn’t be available from the BSF The worm composting will be part of expanded website content for

2011 about other composting processes at Brandeis

Challenges and Responses

The project was relatively simple to implement After receiving permission from the Department of Community Living the applicants worked to install the compost bins Volunteer students living off

campus were found to “adopt” the worm bins for the summer The original proposal called for installing hooks for wash clothes instead of paper towel use, however, sanitation concerns prevented this element from being implemented Perhaps future BSF projects can deal with the issues of paper towel use- either

by reduction or alternative disposal methods

Campus Climate Action: Your School’s Carbon Footprint

This project directly deals with waste reduction which can have carbon emission connections

Transporting waste uses energy and creating compost out of food is a better use for applicable waste The compost also helps grow more local food in the community garden, further reducing transportation costs from importing food While this is a small scale change- it helps promote broader sustainability message in a fun and easy project

ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT

Leaders and Supporters

The Department of Community Living was very supportive of the pilot project and committed to creating

a C3 for upcoming years Cecelia Watkins, a senior taking the Campus Sustainability Experiential Learning Practicum, was the primary project leader who implemented the project- ordering and setting up the supplies She collaborated on the application with Emma Green, a student in the Green the Ivory Tower Class, interested in a green living floor Anna Jursik as CA in Deroy helped launch the program and was the first CA to take care of the worms Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Sustainability Coordinator helped

organize summer pick up of the bins and relocation of them

Funding and Resources

Project Name Description Vendor or

A Greener

Residence Hall

Worms for composting Worm's Way http://www.wormsway.com/ $51.26

A Greener

Residence Hall

Worm Composting Bin (2)

Worm Factory http://naturesfootprintinc.com/ $184.04

A Greener

Residence Hall

Total

$235.30

CONTACT INFORMATION

Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Sustainability Coordinator, 781-736-4194 jannacr@brandeis.edu Case study submitted by: Janna Cohen-Rosenthal

Image credits: Brandeis University