Composting
What is Composting?
Composting is the process of breaking down waste and nourishing the ground once again. Composting works by using naturally occurring bacteria, fungi, and other
microorganisms to break down organic materials like food scraps, yard waste, and tea bags into a nutrient-rich soil amendment called compost.
Why Compost?
In an age where we produce so many things, we also produce a lot of waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists food waste as the third largest waste stream after paper and yard waste. In 2025 about 24% of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in America was food scraps. In 2008, paper comprised 31% of MSW, while yard trimmings and wood comprised 12% of MSW. Not only does it make sense statistically, but it is our job as Christians to become better stewards of our resources. This entails attention to reducing unnecessary waste (e.g., buying fewer products and materials, reducing the amount of food that we throw away), as well as increasing our ability to reduce and recycle our waste. Composting also is making a positive and noticeable difference in our society. Reducing our food waste before it reaches the landfill can help improve sanitation, public safety and health for both our households and our communities. It helps minimize the problem of scavenging pests or unpleasant odors. And lastly, composting is cost-effective. One does not have to spend money on hauling fees to bring our waste to a landfill. Furthermore, the longevity of a landfill is lengthened when a community practices composting, which delays the construction of another landfill—a costly endeavor. There is a positive confluence of factors that can make composting another very successful example of responsible and thoughtful stewardship of God’s Creation here at Gordon College.
What to Compost:
In the dining hall and apartments you may compost fruit and vegatibale waste, tea bags, egg shells, etc.Compostable materials involve a mix of green materials and brown materials. At Gordon, we already compost green materials such as leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, etc.
How can I compost on campus?
Lane dining hall has compost bins near the dish washing rack. You may also request a compost bucket in apartment by emailing [email protected]. You will need to co-sign with one other person in your apartment to be responsible for the compost. If you are in a dorm you can co-sign for compost for the entire floor.