Campus compost program now accepts food scraps only

There is a new rule on what can be placed in Capitol Campus food composting containers.

If you can eat it, it can be composted. If not, please throw it away or recycle it.

The private commercial composting facility that takes campus organic waste recently informed the Enterprise Services Custodial program that it will no longer accept food-soiled paper products, such as paper plates, napkins, pizza boxes and coffee filters.

The company says the soiled paper doesn’t break down enough for use in the compost it sells to customers.

Compost is decomposed organic matter. When fully decayed it resembles very dark crumbly soil. Compost is a beneficial landscape product because it helps improve the moisture-holding capacity of soil and is a good source of plant nutrients.

Updated signage will be placed in campus buildings to remind tenants of the change and new stickers will be placed on compost bins.

The Custodial program estimates that more than 800 tons of organic matter has been kept out of the landfill since composting began on the campus in 2008, saving the state about $88,000.

For more information, contact the DES Custodial Program at (360) 902-0961.

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