Animal bedding is a major waste stream for our campus vivaria and has historically been disposed of via landfill. Unfortunately, when deposited in a landfill, compostable organic items produce the greenhouse gas methane, which is harmful to the environment and contributes to climate change. Thus, it was decided to follow in the footsteps of UGA Dining Halls and compost this organic material at the UGA Bioconversion Facility.
Animal bedding from select campus vivaria composts at this facility, where it breaks down into nutrient dense soil to be used in UGA’s award winning campus landscaping. It’s a win-win; we divert this material from the landfill, avoid contributing to climate change, and nourish our soil and campus landscaping.
Bedding must be from non-treatment animals and must be collected in compostable bags only. Bedding placed in trash bags will be landfilled. High volume generators may be eligible to use a bagless system.
If your animal research facility would like to get involved in this program, please reach out to [email protected].
