Washtenaw Community College’s Sustainable Materials Management professionals are always working to reduce waste, protect the environment, and build a more sustainable future.
In March 2025, food composting was introduced to the Morris Lawrence Building’s Food Service area. Please visit the Recycle Operations Department Blog for details.
Since the program’s launch, the joint efforts of WCC’s Recycle Operations Department, food service contractor Creative Dining, and the service provider My Green Michigan, have composted over 19,000 lbs. of food waste from the Morris Lawrence Building!
Building on this success, WCC is now able to extend pre-consumer food waste composting to the Student Center Building’s Food Service area. This expansion marks another step forward in our sustainability journey and aligns with our ongoing goal to divert waste from landfills and reduce our environmental footprint.
What’s New?
Thanks to our continued collaboration with our food services partner, Creative Dining, all pre-consumer food waste generated in the Student Center Food Service area will now be diverted from landfill and sent for composting. Previously it was only possible to divert raw fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds and tea bags. The new service allows WCC to compost of all types of food - expanding on existing efforts and ensuring that more organic material becomes a resource instead of waste.
Why This Matters
Composting pre-consumer food waste delivers long-lasting sustainability benefits:
- Reduces landfill waste: Organic materials like food scraps become methane in landfills, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting keeps them out of the landfill and supports healthier soil.
- Supports environmental stewardship: By diverting food waste, we are actively contributing to global sustainability goals.
- Strengthens campus partnerships: This expansion was made possible through collaboration between WCC, Creative Dining, and My Green Michigan — showing what's possible when organizations work together toward a shared vision.
- Builds on proven success: My Green Michigan’s services at the Morris Lawrence Building have already helped WCC make meaningful strides in composting and waste reduction.
Ongoing Goals
This expansion reflects WCC’s desire to do more than just talk about sustainability, but to take real action. Our hope is to inspire additional waste reduction initiatives across campus and help create a culture of environmental responsibility that extends beyond our campus.
Participate! Composting services are extended to all breakrooms and office suites – if your area does not have a compost bin and would like one, please email [email protected] or enter a Ready Request via the “Sustainable Materials Management” tile.