Residential Compost Program
The Office of Environmental Sustainability began a new composting program in February, 2023. Unlike Oberlin’s previous composting program, composting is no longer student-run and operates only in select residential buildings.
The green composting bin are located in:
- Dascomb and Barrows kitchenettes
- Kahn, Dascomb, and Barrows first-floor common rooms
- Hallways directly outside of Kahn kitchenettes (in built-in wood bins)
Compost collected from dorms will be brought to the Barnes Compost Facility in Huron, Ohio.
What is compostable?
- All food waste, including meat, dairy, bones, and baked goods
- Food-contaminated paper products, such as dirty pizza boxes
- Other paper products, including napkins, tissues, and tea sachets
- Any product with the Biodegradable Products Institute label
- Plastic
- Metals
- Clothes or Fabric
- Glass
- Liquids
How does compost differ from garbage?
Composting refers to the combination of organic wastes like food and yard trimmings- along withs bulking agents like wood chips that accelerate decomposition- to create a soil-like substance. Finished compost can be added to soil to improve its plant-growing properties. Composting helps reduce the amount of food that is wasted and sent to landfills. Food waste emits significantly less methane into the atmosphere when it is composted instead of thrown away, which also helps the college’s carbon neutrality goals.