Name: Community Composting

Year Awarded: 2024

Type Awarded: Grant and Scholarship

Details: Composting is essential for the sustainability of our environment. Not only does it reduce carbon emissions and the waste being sent to our landfills but it also enriches the structure and health of soil by adding organic matter. The University of Mary Washington does not currently have a sustainable composting program. This project has two objectives: help organize a community composting project on the UMW campus and then research and write a feasibility study for food waste composting from the UMW University Center dining hall.

Status: Ongoing:Amira Said, working with UMW professor Dr. Eric Bonds, has been coordinating with campus staff for possible locations for composting systems. Beginning her work with campus coffee grounds, Said is collecting volunteers for the effort. She has been pursuing advertising through UMW outreach programs for the project, as well.