UNBC's Composting Program

In the summer of 2024, UNBC installed an in-vessel composter in the Recycling Room (based on a senior Environmental Engineering Capstone project report) in December. Organic waste such as food scraps will be processed in the composter and then sent to a curing and storage area north of the Teaching and Learning Centre (AKA Building 10).  

UNBC’s compost program will divert tons of organic waste from the landfill every year and convert them to a nutrient-rich soil amendment. 

Click below to explore the engineering students' academic project that served as the inspiration for our current composting program!

Design Proposal for UNBC's Organic Waste Management System

What materials can be composted at UNBC? 

• Fruit and vegetable scraps (no produce stickers please!) 

• Cooked food scraps 

• Coffee grounds and tea bags 

• Animal product scraps (e.g. eggshells, meat trimmings, moldy cheese) 

• Soiled paper and cardboard (e.g. napkins, pizza boxes, paper plates) 

The composter will reach temperatures hot enough to kill pathogens, which is why we can safely compost animal products and cooked foods!  

How does the composting program work? 

In the pilot phase, food scraps will be collected from the Agora Dining Hall, Good Earth Coffee, the Thirsty Moose Pub and Degrees Coffee.   

There will also be a green bin in the Recycling Room that is open to the UNBC community, indicated by the sign below. You are encouraged to drop off household and office compostables in this bin! Small home/office compost collection bins are available from the sustainability office.  

To learn more or to request a bin for your home or office, please contact the Compost Operator, Keaton Freel at keaton.freel@unbc.ca.