Food Waste Composting
The University has an in vessel aerobic ‘Rocket’ composter in operation on site.
Collection
Food waste is collected in the green boxes in offices and kitchens across the campus.
The food waste is contained within a biodegradable liner.
The food and the biodegradable liner is composted in the ‘Rocket’ composter
We produce about 1000L of food waste every week. This is waste from the offices and kitchens and does not include canteen waste.
The waste we receive is mainly made up of tea bags, apple cores and banana skins.
The Composting Process
The ‘Rocket’ composter works by speeding up the natural composting process. It is a large tube which warms up and agitates the food waste. After 10-14 days immature compost is produced. This is matured in composting bays for a month before being put back in the soil on campus.
Downtime
As the composter is a mechanical process it sometimes breaks down. This means we have to dispose of food waste in the general waste. However this happens very rarely (less than 10% of the time).
Top tips
Please put all of your food waste in the containers around campus including sandwiches, fruit, tea bags, meat and fish etc.
Please do not put any packaging in the food containers.
No plastic, no cartons and no cutlery.
Education
If you would like to learn more about the rocket composter please visit www.quickcompost.co.uk
If composting forms a part of your subject curriculum and you would like to arrange an educational visit to see and hear about the ‘Rocket’ composter please email: recycle@ncl.ac.uk
If you are an external organisation and are interested in more information about our rocket why not come and visit. Please contact Daniel on 0191 222 3963 or daniel.oconnor@ncl.ac.uk