Composting is a process that takes organic waste, such as food scraps
and yard waste, and turns it into a nutrient-rich soil. At
the University of Vermont, food waste is collected from several locations each day and
taken to
the Intervale Compost Facility
for composting. Intervale Compost is a
non-profit business located in the north end of Burlington just one
mile from campus.
On an average week, UVM
collects 4.96 tons of food waste per week to be composted at the
Intervale. The collected food waste is dumped at the Intervale,
where it is layered with other organic wastes such as leaves, yard
debris and manure. The material is formed into long piles, or "windrows", and
mixed periodically so that air and moisture can circulate through each
pile. As the piles heat up, the food waste breaks down into a rich,
dark soil. The finished product is used on farmland, and by home gardeners and
landscapers.
Composting Guidelines |
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