Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Environmental Analysis

Reader 1

Guillermo Douglass-Jaimes

Reader 2

Kimberly Drake

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2024 Loren Mello

Abstract

In response to the growing need for sustainable waste management practices, the Farm Manager at Pomona College proposed redirecting food waste from offsite industrial composting to onsite composting at the Pomona Farm, expanding beyond kitchen waste to include student plate scrapings. This research aimed to address the anticipated challenges associated with this transition, including increased compost contamination, Farm staff labor, and operational work hours. To gain insights, a pilot program was conducted at Frank Dining Hall for one week, focusing on compost contaminants, food waste weight, collection and composting time, and additional qualitative measures. Findings from the pilot indicated that contamination, primarily from dining hall staff, posed a significant challenge. Furthermore, communication gaps between dining hall staff and management, as well as with the Farm, were also identified as barriers to effective onsite composting. These findings underscore the importance of improving communication channels and implementing training protocols to mitigate contamination and enhance operational efficiency. In conclusion, this research highlights the complexities associated with transitioning to onsite composting and the critical need for effective communication and training. Through addressing these challenges, Pomona College can successfully scale up its composting efforts, contributing to broader sustainability goals and environmental stewardship.

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