[Greener-benches] Compost Awareness Week, Quiz and Gift Certificates to the Farmers' Market

[Bemis, Jamie L]

Hi All, 

This week is International Compost Awareness Week and it's a great opportunity for us to raise people's awareness of the benefits of composting and of the many resources they can tap into at Harvard. I hope you will share the announcement below and the attached composting guide with your green teams and co-workers. 

 

Thanks! 

Jamie

 

Happy Composting Week!

Composting is one of the most important ways of reducing waste and is integral to Harvard's sustainability program. Composting turns waste into a useful product that decreases the need for highly concentrated or synthetic fertilizers. Celebrate the International Compost Awareness Week by making your next event zero-waste, setting up a composting program in your department or taking a quiz to win Gift Certificates to the Farmers' Market! 

 

A Few Interesting Facts

*	Harvard University has been composting since 1636 
*	3,693:  total tons of compostables in FY10, including food scraps, serviceware, and landscaping materials, applied as topsoil, mulch, compost tea, and vermicompost 
*	Harvard recovers more tons of organic waste for composting than it collects for recycling 
*	Large compost piles can heat shower water up to 90° Farhenheit 

Composting at FAS, Project Highlights

*	Composting education: field trips to composting farm. Email us at energy at fas if you'd like us to keep you in the loop about upcoming trips 
*	Building-wide composting: CGIS, Freshman Dean's Office and Herbaria, to list just a few 
*	Zero-waste events: faculty meetings at University Hall, Yardfest and department gatherings 
*	Vermiculture: Thayer Hall

Take a Quiz and Win $15 Gift Certificates to the Farmers Market!

4 lucky participants will win GCs to the Farmers Market! All answers are in the attached FAS Composting Guide:

1. Harvard's landfilled trash contains:

A. 10% of organics

B. 20%

C. 30%

D. 40% 

 

2. FAS Green Program can provide the following to first time zero-waste event organizers:

A. Outreach materials

B. Outreach materials and compostable products (free of charge)

 

3. The composting bacteria produce heat while breaking down organic matter. A compost heap can reach up to

A. 90° Farhenheit

B. 115° Farhenheit

C. 140° Farhenheit

 

If you're hosting or planning a zero-waste event within the FAS, please feel free to contact a FAS Green Program representative that can guide you through each step. Simply email us at energy at fas to get started. 

 

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