Composting

Through the work of Carleton Dining Services, organics are collected for composting in the food preparation areas and the main dining areas of the Residence Commons and the food preparation areas of the University Centre. The organics are taken away several times a week by a hauler and composted in a large commercial composter. Just like with the green bin program in Ottawa, Carleton’s program can accept meat, dairy products and other items that are normally excluded from backyard composters. In 2011-12, 240, 000 kilograms of organics or 10 per cent of all of the university’s waste was composted.

In 2012, an ECO-themed floor was created in Russell House and the student residents began to collect and compost their apple cores and other organics. The Housing Department will pilot this composting program in September 2013 on the first floor of Leeds House – a residence that also has kitchenettes.