This document discusses Phase II of a compost pilot project and the procurement of Big Belly solar compactors to support increased compost collection on campus. It provides details on estimated costs and staffing needs to shift to compostable food service ware, proposes optimal placement of new compactor units, and outlines the financial and operational contributions of various campus groups toward expanding compost infrastructure and achieving zero waste goals. The Big Belly compactors are expected to reduce collection needs from multiple times daily to just 2-3 times per week while integrating with the campus aesthetically and supporting sustainability initiatives.

1. Compost Pilot Project: Phase II
Procurement & Big Belly Solar Compactors
Photo Credit: Emily Newcomer, University of Washington

2. The Arbor Courtyard Cafe

3. Progress

4. Procurement Survey
UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCEMENT: May 1, 2012
Would you support a campus wide shift to compostable/biodegradable food
packaging and utensils in UCEN operated eateries instead of the current plastic
and Styrofoam packaging, if this would incur the following estimated price
increases to offset the cost: 4-10 cent increase on beverages 20-25 cent increase
per full meal 5 cent increase on candy and chips?

5. What to Expect
Large volume increase with shift to compostable alternatives
Large volume increase would require an estimated 2-3/day
collection from ASR staff

6. AS Recycling
• AS Recycling compost Staff
– Currently collects food waste once/day
– Influx of compostables would require collection 2-3 times/day without
Big Belly’s
• Electric Vehicle
– Only two EVS at ASR

7. Waste Management at UCSB
• Problems Associated with Big Berthas:
– Small Volume (Growing campus population)
– Pest issues
– Litter due to wind/animals
• Food waste is mostly high volume and low density, i.e.
Styrofoam containers, empty food cartons

8. About the Big Belly
1. Solar panel charges battery
2. Users input waste
3. Laser eye triggers compaction cycle when full
4. Compacts trash to 20% of original volume
5. Signal transmitted when compacted trash is at capacity
6. Moveable
Benefits:
• Only empty cans when full
• Eliminates large air volume
• Prevents trash from escaping
• Controls rodent intrusion
• Waste in dumpster is more dense

9. “We have seven installed at Red Square, a high-traffic, high food waste
consumption area on campus. We have had them installed for a little over a month.
Last week when I ran numbers, we found that of the volume of materials collected (the Clean System
measures material collected by volume not weight) 42% has been compostable, 38% recyclable and
20% garbage. Most
of the compost generated on our campus is from
compostable serviceware—all cafes on campus use compostable
serviceware and packaging. Contamination has been minimal and nothing more than
what we would see in buildings or other more controlled environments. On average we service each of
the units 2x/week. We service recycling or composting every 2-3 days and garbage every 4 to 5 days.
This is a reduction in the daily and perhaps 2x/daily service of cans that were located in this area
before. I have not yet calculated savings on the reduction in service.”
Emily Newcomer, University of Washington

10. Campus Continuity in Waste
Management
• Physical Facilities is currently looking to purchase 4 big belly
clusters for Comingled Recycling and Landfill
• Additional four Compost Big Bellys are intended to complete
the cluster
• Big Bellys are customizable and will be able to integrate into
campus design and aesthetics

11. Optimal Placement of BigBelly Components
• Place in:
Locations
– high traffic areas Courtyard Café
– food service areas Arbor
– optimal sun exposure (5 hours) University Center/Buchanan
– Minimize shading Coral Tree Café
• Requires flat paved ground
Climate Consultant 5.1Meteorogical Data
Map showing potential placement of BigBellies

12. Economics: Costs

13. Contributions toward Composting
• AS Recycling
– Staff/Labor for Collection
– Evs & other resources
• AS Zero Waste Committee
– Restructured AS Recycling committee
– Annual budget
– Replace informal CPP Coalition
– Members from EAB, Costal Fund, Surfrider, AS Recycling
– Outreach and Campus Education
• UCen Dining Services
– Procurement of compostable service ware and packaging
• Physical Facilities
– Purchase of accompanying Landfill and Comingled hoppers

14. Summary: Campus Benefits
• Large step toward achieving zero waste by 2020
• Supports the UCen Dining Services compostable
procurement plan for Fall or Winter 2012
• Nominal investment towards campus modernity in waste
management
• Continuity with previously allocated TGIF grant (CPP)
• Continuity with current Physical Facilities Recycling and
Waste Management endeavors
• Keep UCSB as the bellwether in Higher Education
sustainability initiatives
• Proven results at University of Washington and Texas A&M
– 20 of 32 Big Bellys purchased at Texas A&M came from campus green
fund

15. Questions?