Cost-Benefit Analysis of Composting at the University of Kentucky

This study is a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of the University of Kentucky’s composting program. Food waste is collected from two major dining facilities on campus and composted at the university’s C. Oran Little Research Center in Woodford County. This CBA only considers the direct accounting costs of the program. Three models were developed and analyzed. Ultimately, all three models resulted in a deficit over the life of the project. However, it is important to note that benefits were likely understated because this CBA did not take into consideration the environmental or social benefits that exist from a composting program at a university