Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, began a food waste diversion program at the Higgins Cafeteria in 2007, and has since expanded the program to include multiple residence halls and most recently, the Academic Commons at Goddard Library. This article provides an overview of how food waste diversion to composting has spread across Clark’s campus, helping the university to divert approximately 55% of its solid waste. The driving force behind Clark’s food waste diversion success is a student-led group named Clark Composts!. Beyond implementing effective food waste diversion programs at Clark, this group also works to educate students on how the waste they create and the disposal options they choose affect the environment.

In the past, Clark University received technical assistance from RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts to assess and implement its food waste diversion program. If your business or institution is interested in receiving technical assistance to begin or improve a waste diversion program, contact RecyclingWorks by email or at (888) 254-5525.