Problem: Solid organic wastes we ordinarily throw in the trash take up precious landfill space. We can reduce our solid waste output by about 30% if we compost what cannot be recycled or reused.

Solution: Santiago E.A.R.T.H. club has started an on-campus composting complex. Funds from the California Garden Grant were spent to buy tools and materials to build a 3-bin system that is capable of handling the yard waste from our on-campus maintenance, cafeteria vegetable refuse, paper towels, posters, and shredded paper. We mix it with soil, add water if necessary, and toss it every few days to keep it aerobic.

The results: Our garden is happy and producing wonderfully delicious produce. Campus maintenance loves us! Students experience Earth's biogeochemical cycles on a first-hand basis and some have started their own compost piles at home. Our community's solid waste output to the landfill has been reduced!

Harvesting mature compost to work into the on-campus garden's soil.

Science students observing their trash from several weeks before has turned to soil fertilizer.