Compost

Composting at UCCS Campus

Composting helps UCCS reduce landfill waste and return nutrients to the earth. Use this guide to know what belongs in campus compost bins:

 

What goes in the Green Bin!

What can be composted:
• All food scraps — fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, grains
• Coffee grounds and paper filters
• Tea bags without plastic mesh
• Paper towels, napkins, tissues
• Uncoated paper and cardboard
• BPI-certified compostable cups, plates, bowls, and utensils

Help keep our compost stream clean so materials can break down properly!

Items That Do Not Go in Compost

Graphic titled ‘The Dirty Dozen of Compost’ showing common items that cannot be composted, including plastics, foil packaging, coated paper, and other contaminants.

Avoid placing the following items in the green compost bins, as they contaminate the compost stream:

  • Coffee cups unless clearly labeled “compostable”

  • Plastics of any kind
    (including wrappers, utensils, plastic film, straws, and non-compostable containers)

  • Glossy or coated paper
    (magazines, laminated menus, photo paper)

  • Foil or foil-lined packaging
    (chip bags, juice pouches, foil lids, metallic wrappers)

  • Dryer lint
    (contains synthetic fibers that do not break down)

When in doubt, place items in the landfill bin.