Hi all,
Our project has a new name!
As hinted at earlier, we decided to change the name of our project after learning that the term “biodigester” may refer to decomposition processes that create different forms of soil amendments other than the one produced by the FOR Solutions system (i.e. compost). Hence, to make the connection with composting clearer, we will be referring to the system as a composter or composting system, and will call the demonstration project: “S.C.R.A.P.” Lab or Sustainable Composting Research at Princeton Lab. Our goal is to investigate the sustainability of repurposing uneaten campus food into a soil amendment using aerobic in-vessel rotary drum composting technology.
Note: The URL for this blog is now: https://scraplab.princeton.edu/ (although anyone who uses the old URL will automatically be re-directed).
We understand that there may be a negative association with the word “scrap,” but our intent is to change conventional thinking that [food] scraps are a form of “waste,” but rather nutrients that can be returned to the environment to enrich the soils that we all depend on for food and key ecosystem services. Help us spread the word!
In other news, we had a productive brainstorming session with staff and students on ideas for a new resource recovery station at the Frist Campus Center. Sarah Bavuso, Campus Dining Sustainability Manager, led us through a great session filled with colored sharpies and sticky notes.
Earlier today and over the rest of this week, we will be off-loading the composting system until it is nearly empty to prepare for a temporary shut-down of operations over Spring Break next week. But don’t worry – the uneaten food that we would normally process won’t go to the landfill. Organic Diversion, the University’s contracted hauler that picks up uneaten food at the campus dining halls, will be assisting us during this time. When we return from Spring Break we will provide more information about the differences between Organic Diversion and the S.C.R.A.P Lab.
See you in two weeks!
Weekly Data: 3/2 – 3/8
We again continued to load roughly 3,000 lbs. of food scraps and off-loaded a similar amount in compost.
| Food | Wood shavings (BA/CS) | % BA/CS |
Compost Off-loaded | |
| Week Totals (lbs.) | 3,029 | 995 | 33% | 3,000 |
| CUMULATIVE (lbs) | 58,763 | 17,947 | 31% | 47,500 |