By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is turning food waste into a high value soil amendment with its newly launched composting system — an innovative, on-campus facility designed to expand composting operations and support UK’s commitment to becoming a zero-waste campus by 2030.
Spearheaded by UK Recycling and UK Sustainability in Facilities Management, the new process uses an in-vessel, aerated composting system that dramatically improves the university’s ability to process organic waste. The system transforms food scraps and wood chips into nutrient-rich compost in a matter of weeks, using controlled airflow, moisture regulation and automated mixing via a giant corkscrew-like auger.
Photo by Breanna Walton.
Student Spotlight: Jacob Hampton tells UK’s composting story
As part of UK Recycling’s educational outreach, Jacob Hampton, a digital media and design senior in the College of Fine Arts, created a video highlighting the composting system during an internship this semester.
“I’ve grown a lot through this project,” Hampton said. “It helped me be more creative and understand the people behind composting efforts on campus. Not everyone gets chances like this and having opportunities to gain real word experience is so beneficial for students.”
The new composting system is a powerful step toward a more sustainable campus. By turning yesterday’s food scraps into tomorrow’s nutrients, UK is reducing waste, enriching the campus environment and demonstrating leadership for a greener future.
Learn more about UK Sustainability at sustainability.uky.edu and UK Recycling at recycleblue.uky.edu.
