A pilot compost collection program, open to all campus community members, is kicking off in Fall 2026. Participants can collect food scraps and organic waste at home, then bring it to the compost collection at the Illini Union. Everyone is welcome to participate, or come stop by the compost collection table to learn more!
This compost collection is organized through a joint effort of F&S, iSEE, Student Engagement, and the Illini Union, with funding from the Student Sustainability Committee.
Compost Collection Site
Come find the compost collection every Friday, starting Sept. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The collection will take place either outdoors on Anniversary Plaza (the quad side of the Illini Union) or inside near the quad entrance to the Union, depending on the weather. The site will be staffed by EcoReps, a group of sustainability peer ambassadors who work under iSEE and Student Engagement, along with other student volunteers. They can answer questions about composting and how to get involved. They will also share a survey to collect feedback about how to expand composting on campus.
What is Composting?
Composting is an eco-friendly way of disposing of organic waste. Once the waste breaks down, it turns into fertilizer, which supports soil health. By diverting organic waste from landfills, we avoid emitting greenhouse gas emissions.
How to Compost
You can compost at home, whether you live in the dorms, an apartment, or a house. You can start by finding or purchasing a few-gallon bucket with handles and a lid to keep in your space and store compostables. To keep your bucket clean, you may consider buying compostable liners to make the process easier. Once Friday rolls around each week, you can simply bring your compost to the Union, drop it off with an EcoRep or volunteer, fill out a quick completion survey, and then you will have an empty bucket to compost with the following week.
This program is designed to be open to the campus community, including students, staff, faculty, and community members. Everyone is welcome to participate!
What to Compost
Examples of compostable materials include all food waste, yard waste, 100% paper products, BPI-certified compostable products, and many more, which can be found in the guide below. Please be sure not to include any items in the “Don’t Compost These” list to ensure a smooth drop-off process. More information about composting can be found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Do Compost These
- Fruits and veggies [cooked or raw]
- Eggshells and paper egg cartons
- Coffee grounds, filters, and teabags [no string/staples]
- Solid dairy and non-dairy alternatives
- Legumes and fungi
- Bread, pasta, cereal, and baked goods
- Paper towels, napkins, and 100% paper bags
- Meat and bones
- Fish scraps and lobster/shrimp shells
- Commercial-grade compostable products [look out for “Commercially Compostable” on the packaging]
- Pizza boxes and pizza scraps
- Plants and flowers
- Pet food
- Pet hair
- Human hair [not dyed or treated]
- Flour and sugar bags
- Expired vitamins
- 100% silk, wool, cotton, wood, or cork
- Newspaper
- And so much more!
Don’t Compost These
- Glass, metal, or plastic of any kind
- Styrofoam or rubber of any kind
- Gum, cigarette buds, and tobacco
- Rubber bands, gloves, produce ties, and produce bags
- Dryer sheets
- Baby wipes
- Wrappers
- Tetra packs
- Milk tabs
- Diapers and human/pet waste
- Kleenex
- Receipts
- Candles and synthetic corks
FAQ
Where is the best place to store my compost?
Compost is best stored in an enclosed container in a cool, dry place. For many, this may be outdoors on a porch, under the kitchen sink, in a closet, or next to your normal garbage can.
How do I keep my compost from smelling?
Compost is not supposed to smell, especially if you drop off weekly. If you notice your compost is gaining odor, try adding “carbon-rich browns” like cardboard, paper products, and yard waste. This helps absorb moisture and balance your compost. Another option is to add coffee grounds, mint, or citrus to offset any smell.
What happens with my compostables after drop-off?
At the end of a collection day, compost bins are transferred to the university’s Waste Transfer Station to be stored until WasteNot collects the bins. WasteNot is a Chicago-based compost service company that provides compost bins and pick-up services to Chicago-land
residents, schools, businesses, and more. To learn more about how WasteNot uses compost, check out their website.
How can I volunteer?
We are always looking for more volunteers to help with this initiative. Please fill out this form, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Miriam Keep, the Sustainability Programs Coordinator, at keep2@illinois.edu.
