Organic Waste Management at WPI

Waste is a growing environmental problem worldwide. A typical wasted management process is not conscious of the different types of materials it receives - a mix of organic and inorganic waste. The objective of this research project is to create and efficient organic waste management plan at WPI which will reuse the organic waste thrown away to produce methane and mulch. Our plan proposes anaerobic digestion of food and yard waste to produce methane for power production and rich soil and mulch for campus beds. To get data on the waste that could potentially be reused, we contacted Morgan Commons personnel, the GPS: Feed the World, WPI Grounds Services director, Greek organizations on campus and nearby restaurants such as the Boynton and the Sole Proprietor. For digester and reactor design, we carried out an intense literature survey. Our findings focused on developing a reactor that could be feasibly implemented at WPI(tackling issues such as size, space and cost). In addition we developed an effective mulch production system by recycling leaves. The proposed plan is easily implementable with a payback in 3-4 years. WPI\u27s sustainability initiative can be furthered by implementation of this proposal.https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/gps-posters/1349/thumbnail.jp