How to Compost at an Office

Have you ever thought about bringing sustainability to your workplace? If you're passionate about reducing waste and making a positive impact on the environment, composting at your office is a fantastic initiative to consider. Composting diverts organic waste from landfills and also creates nutrient-rich soil that can be used for gardening or landscaping purposes onsite, or donated to a local farm or community garden. Learn how to set up a composting system at your office, making your workplace more sustainable.

Assessing Feasibility and Obtaining Support

Before beginning an office composting program, take time to assess feasibility and build the necessary support. Start with a space audit to identify suitable locations, ideally close to kitchens or break areas where food waste is most generated. Consider logistics like ventilation, accessibility, and how much waste your team produces. Check for local regulations, zoning laws, or building restrictions that could impact your setup.

Next, build a coalition of like-minded colleagues. Engage with those who are already passionate about sustainability and educate others on the benefits. Their buy-in can help secure management approval and create a sense of shared responsibility. Use surveys or informal polls to gauge overall interest and gather feedback, which can be key in tailoring the program to your office’s needs. The more aligned and involved everyone is, the smoother the implementation will be.

Propose a pilot program to management, emphasizing measurable outcomes like waste reduction, cost savings, and alignment with company sustainability goals. Present a clear plan outlining responsibilities, timelines, and how progress will be tracked. With solid groundwork and the right allies, you’ll set up a composting program that’s both practical and well-supported.

Determining Onsite Composting Technology or Offsite Hauling

Deciding between onsite composting technology and offsite hauling depends on your office’s space, budget, and waste volume. Begin by evaluating the amount of organic waste your office generates. If the volume is manageable, onsite solutions like composting bins, worm bins, or small tumblers might be sufficient. These options offer direct control over the process and allow employees to see the composting benefits firsthand.

For larger offices or those lacking space, offsite hauling may be more practical. Offsite compost hauling can range from small-scale to large-scale depending on your office’s needs. Small-scale hauling typically involves local services or community programs collecting food scraps weekly, ideal for smaller offices with limited waste. Large-scale hauling is suited for bigger offices or organizations with high waste volume, often partnering with commercial composting facilities that handle large quantities efficiently. These services typically include scheduled pickups, bulk pricing, and streamlined logistics, ensuring smooth, high-capacity waste management.

The food waste collected through offsite hauling is typically taken to commercial composting facilities. At these facilities, organic materials undergo controlled decomposition, turning them into nutrient-rich compost. The process involves shredding and piling the waste, then managing factors like temperature, moisture, and aeration for optimal breakdown. The final compost is often sold to farms, landscaping companies, or community gardens, closing the loop by returning nutrients to the soil. Some haulers may also partner with local farms or community gardens that directly use the compost.

Research local compost haulers or municipal programs that can collect your organic waste regularly. Offsite hauling requires less daily maintenance and ensures that even large volumes are handled efficiently.

When considering onsite technology, think about your team’s willingness to engage. Successful onsite composting depends on regular maintenance, so choose a method that aligns with your team’s commitment level and schedule. For example, a worm bin might require more ongoing attention, while offsite hauling can be low-maintenance.

Ultimately, balance convenience, cost, and your office’s capacity when deciding between onsite composting and offsite hauling. Whichever option you choose, ensure it’s sustainable for the long term and supports your office’s waste reduction goals.

Considerations for Onsite In-Vessel Composters

When considering onsite in-vessel composters, here are key factors to keep in mind:

Space and Location: In-vessel systems are often compact but still require dedicated space. Ensure you have an appropriate location, preferably outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, with easy access for waste disposal.
Waste Volume and Capacity: In-vessel composters are designed for higher waste volumes, making them suitable for medium to large offices. Assess your daily waste output to choose a unit with the right capacity.
Odor and Pest Control: These enclosed systems excel at controlling odors and keeping pests out, a significant advantage in urban or shared office settings. However, proper operation and regular maintenance are still required to prevent issues.
Maintenance and Operation: While automated, in-vessel composters still need monitoring. Consider how much time your team can dedicate to tasks like loading waste, adjusting settings, and occasionally emptying finished compost.
Energy Requirements: Some in-vessel composters are electrically powered, requiring an energy source. Factor in the potential increase in energy costs and the need for reliable access to power.
Budget and Cost: In-vessel composters are a significant investment, with higher upfront costs compared to simpler composting methods. Consider your budget, including installation and potential ongoing maintenance expenses.
Regulatory Compliance: Depending on your location, check for any regulations or permits required for operating an onsite in-vessel system, especially in commercial or high-traffic areas.
Facility and Janitorial Team Approval: In-vessel composters often require the facility management and janitorial team to handle daily operations. Secure their buy-in early by discussing roles, responsibilities, and any training needed to ensure smooth integration. Their approval and involvement are crucial for maintaining efficiency and avoiding operational disruptions.

Educating and Engaging Your Colleagues

To successfully implement an office composting program, educating and engaging your colleagues is crucial. Start by raising awareness about the environmental benefits of composting through posters, email newsletters, or informative presentations. Explain how composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps create a circular economy.

Environmental Impact: Highlight how composting reduces landfill waste, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources by recycling organic material into valuable compost.
Cost Savings: Emphasize potential reductions in waste disposal costs, as composting can lower the volume of trash requiring collection and processing.
Enhanced Corporate Image: Point out that implementing a composting program aligns with corporate social responsibility goals and enhances the company’s reputation as a sustainable and environmentally conscious organization.
Employee Engagement: Showcase how a composting program can boost employee morale and satisfaction by involving them in meaningful, impactful activities that contribute to a greener workplace.
Educational Opportunities: Promote the program as an opportunity for employees to learn about sustainability and environmental stewardship, fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility.
Waste Diversion Metrics: Provide data on how much waste can be diverted from landfills and the positive effects this diversion has on local waste management systems.
Community Benefits: Stress that composting can support local agriculture and gardening projects, creating a positive ripple effect in the community by providing nutrient-rich compost for local use.

Encourage participation by organizing fun and interactive workshops on composting. Demonstrate how to separate compostable materials from regular waste and provide clear instructions on what can and cannot be composted.

Setting Up a Composting System

Once you have garnered support and educated your colleagues, it's time to set up a composting system at your office. Here are the steps to follow:

Identify Composting Method: Determine the most suitable composting method for your office space.
Designate Collection Points: Place clearly labeled compost bins or containers in convenient locations throughout the office, such as the kitchen, cafeteria, or break areas. Ensure they are easily accessible and recognizable.
Provide Clear Guidelines: Develop simple guidelines outlining what can be composted. Focus on food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, paper towels, and other organic waste. Make sure to exclude items like plastics, metals, and non-compostable paper.
Educate about Proper Disposal: Encourage proper disposal habits by providing signage near waste disposal stations. Remind colleagues to empty liquids from containers and to avoid excessive packaging.

Person collecting food scraps while cooking

Managing and Maintaining the Composting System

To ensure the success and longevity of your office composting program, it's important to manage and maintain the system effectively. Here are some key considerations:

Regular Monitoring: Assign responsible individuals or a sustainability team to monitor the composting system regularly. They should check for any issues, such as contamination or overflowing bins, and address them promptly.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Educate the designated individuals about composting maintenance tasks. These include monitoring moisture levels, turning the compost pile (if applicable), and troubleshooting common problems such as odor or pest control.
Collaboration with Facility Management Staff: Establish open communication with the office management staff to ensure they understand and support the composting efforts. Coordinate waste management practices to avoid confusion and contamination.

Utilizing the Compost and Celebrating Success

As your office composting program progresses, it's important to celebrate milestones and utilize the compost effectively. Here's how:

Harvesting and Using Compost: Once your compost is ready, celebrate the achievement by organizing a small event. Engage your colleagues in the process of harvesting and using the nutrient-rich compost for office plants or donate it to a local community garden.
Sharing Success Stories: Share success stories and the positive impact your office composting initiative has had on the environment. Highlight the amount of waste diverted from landfills and showcase the sustainable practices implemented by your workplace. This will inspire others and potentially encourage them to adopt similar initiatives.

Considerations for Switching to Compostable Cutlery and Plates

Switching to compostable cutlery and plates in your office can be a significant step toward reducing your office's environmental footprint. However, before making this transition, it's essential to evaluate several factors to ensure it aligns with your waste management goals and sustainability efforts. Understanding the compatibility of these products with your composting facility, weighing the costs, and recognizing the importance of source reduction and reusables are crucial steps. This approach helps in making informed decisions and emphasizes a comprehensive waste management strategy that prioritizes reducing waste generation over relying solely on compostable solutions.

Compatibility with Composting Facilities: Confirm with your compost hauler whether they accept compostable cutlery and plates. Not all facilities can process these items due to specific processing requirements or contamination issues.
Cost vs. Benefit: Evaluate the cost of compostable cutlery and plates compared to traditional options. Consider the long-term financial impact and whether the benefits align with your sustainability goals.
Quality and Functionality: Ensure that compostable products meet your office's needs in terms of durability and performance. Test samples to confirm that they are suitable for daily use and match the quality of conventional products.
Waste Stream Segregation: Set up clear waste sorting stations to avoid contamination of compostable items with non-compostable waste. Proper segregation is crucial for effective composting and achieving the desired environmental benefits.
Vendor and Product Certification: Choose compostable products certified by recognized standards, like ASTM D6400 or EN 13432, to ensure they meet required compostability criteria and do not harm composting systems.
Employee Education: Educate employees on the proper use and disposal of compostable cutlery and plates. Clear instructions will help reduce contamination and improve the effectiveness of your composting efforts.
Environmental Impact: Consider the overall environmental impact of compostable products, including their production, transportation, and end-of-life disposal. Weigh these factors against the benefits of composting.
Source Reduction and Reusables: Emphasize that reducing waste at the source and using reusable cutlery, cups, and plates are more sustainable practices than relying solely on compostable products. Encourage practices like using metal cutlery and plates, which eliminate waste altogether and minimize environmental impact.
Long-Term Strategy: Develop a comprehensive waste management strategy that integrates source reduction, reuse, and composting. This holistic approach ensures that all waste management efforts are aligned with your sustainability goals.

Composting at your office is a powerful way to make a significant environmental impact. By diverting organic waste from landfills and creating nutrient-rich soil, you can contribute to a greener workplace and a more sustainable future. Remember, the key to success lies in assessing feasibility, educating colleagues, setting up an effective composting system, managing it diligently, and celebrating milestones along the way. Embrace the opportunity to be an environmental leader in your workplace, and inspire others to follow suit.

Let's Go Compost is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to make composting free and accessible throughout the United States. Our goal is to revolutionize waste management, reduce landfill waste, and combat harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Our programs are community-led with a focus on supporting school gardens and community gardens, all working to ensure composting and free food waste drop off sites reach all, irrespective of location or income.