SAN DIEGO — Food waste is one of the top contributors to methane gas which is not good for the environment.
The EPA reports that in 2022, 96% of American households' wasted food ended up in a landfill or down the drain.
Gallons of food waste such as leftover food from dinner plates. Eggshells and pasta that had to be dumped and browned romaine lettuce were stored behind the University of San Diego dining hall.
“It’s always been a part of our ethos but I think students drive a lot of what we do,” said Britt Castro, Purchasing Manager, USD Auxiliary Services, USD.
Next to the stacks of food waste is a Harp CX2 Biodigester.
The commercial composter can break down everything but avocado pits, bones and oyster shells.
“The arms are spinning it around and getting it all mixed in with those enzymes and breakdown that food,” said Castro.
The biodigester can compost food waste in 24 hours compared to weeks or even months for traditional compost.
“This is really nice it’s just soil. It’s very nutrient rich so we add to this our grounds,” said Castro.
The fertilizer is then mixed with the seed used on campus grounds.
All the food waste is collected from student’s plates in dining halls, dorms and off-campus housing as well as scraps from the kitchen’s food prep.
“It’s 450 pounds of food that will break down into that bucket,” said Castro.
That’s 450 pounds of food everyday that is broken down into fertilizer.
“We just throw it away in the trash. And it’s like, not a second thought. But if we’re really conscious about it, and I think it’s very important. And then I think it will help the environment better,” said Chrystalyn Alvidrez-Lee, USD sophomore.
She says she has been mindful of food waste and tries to do her part.
“I try to reduce my food waste by not like taking more than I need or trying to be rational about that,” said Alvidrez-Lee.
She also bought a $5 Ozzi box that is provided on campus.
Instead of a paper to-go container the reusable box can be recycled in this machine. Students are then given a token that used to get a clean Ozzi box.
“Last year in 2023, over 42 million cardboard to go containers were saved here at use by using this simple plastic box it makes a tremendous difference in keeping waste out of our landfills,” said John Alejandro, USD Director of Sustainability.
He points to a United Nations report that found in 2022 humans wasted one trillion dollars’ worth of food globally.
“In California landfills are the number one contributor of methane gas,” said Alejandro.
Methane emissions are a big contributor to greenhouse gas. The EPA reports, one third of all food in the US goes uneaten and households are big food wasters.
“People at home can reduce their food waste by simply taking a paper bag like this one and putting their food waste into it and toss it in their green water bin,” said Alejandro.
Or you can scrape your food directly into a green bin. It may take some getting used to but remember the early days of recycling? Eventually it will easily fit into your routine.
“If everyone did their part even one day a week recycle their food that would greatly help everyone in the end,” said Alejandro.
While not every home can afford an expensive biodigester, USD says the cost of being better environmental stewards is much greener.
“It’s worth every penny, I’ll say that,” said Castro.
To learn more about USD efforts to reduce waste and sustainable initiatives click here.
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