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.
