If you’ve ever spotted bright orange bikes whizzing around the University of Georgia’s campus, you may have wondered what they’re up to. These bikes belong to the UGA Campus Compost Program and are driven by student interns working with the Office of Sustainability.

Their mission?

Collecting compostable waste from across campus to reduce landfill contributions and promote sustainable habits.

Launched in 2014 through a Sustainability Grant, the program began as a volunteer-led initiative.

Today, it has grown into a robust effort, managing over 70 bin locations and collecting thousands of pounds of compostable materials.

 Why It’s Newsworthy: As landfill volumes grow and climate change intensifies, UGA students are taking action to combat its effects through innovative composting efforts on campus. 

In the United States, 66.2 million tons of wasted food were generated across the retail, food service, and residential sectors in 2019. Only 5% of this waste was composted — the vast majority ended up in landfills. When organic waste like food decomposes in landfill conditions without oxygen, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat and accelerates climate change.

The local Solid Waste Department is one of the few municipalities in Georgia to operate a large-scale industrial composting facility. It processes thousands of pounds of organic waste annually, even extending its services to some areas in Atlanta.

Despite these efforts, composting faces challenges. Lack of knowledge and common misconceptions — like the fear of smelly, rotting bins — deter many people from participating. 

However as Abigail Sawyer, compost education specialist at the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department, says people are already putting their trash into a bin, and it’s about learning how to put it in a different one that is beneficial to the environment.  

To further simplify composting, the department aims to expand residential pick-up services around Athens, making it easier for residents to divert their organic waste from landfills.

The UGA Campus Compost program works in tandem with ACC facilities, as their compost is picked up and processed by the Solid Waste Department. 

On campus, the UGA Campus Compost Program is doing its part by maintaining collection bins and educating students. At tabling events, interns engage with students to build awareness and promote sustainable habits, hoping to inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals.

However, the program does have its limitations.

Due to their small team and limited pick-up frequency, the interns can’t collect items like meat or dairy in their bins, which require more frequent servicing. Some routes can involve up to 20 stops, testing the interns’ stamina and time management.

Despite these challenges, the demand for bins continues to grow, and the interns take pride in their efforts.

The interns tackle what many would find overwhelming. Yet, they find comfort in the community and collaboration the program provides. For these students, composting isn’t just about waste management — it’s about nurturing the earth and safeguarding the future.

As they pedal across campus, they know they are part of something meaningful: a collective mission to create a more sustainable world, one bin at a time.

Chanel Gaynor is a senior majoring in journalism and marketing with an emphasis in digital marketing.