Frequently Asked Questions

Will my compost bin start to smell and attract pests?

We believe that by removing your food waste from open trash cans and instead containing it in a lidded bin, you are less likely to encourage smells or attract pests.

We provide a large cart just outside your building (much like a household yard-debris cart), as well as small bins to use inside your department. This way, the indoor bin can be taken out as often as you see fit and the outdoor cart will be serviced once a week.

Where will my compost go?

The material will be processed at the Pacific Region Compost Facility, located about 11 miles north of Corvallis. There it will be mixed with yard debris and wood waste and made into a product that can be purchased by local farms, nurserys or private individuals.

Why should we compost in our department?

Composting is a topic of growing interest throughout the country for several reasons. The landfills around the country are starting to fill up and become more and more expensive. Composting is a beneficial alternative to garbage and healthy for the environment. Compost your office’s food scraps instead of sending them to the landfill. Help make OSU a better place to live.

What departments are already composting?

  • Adams Hall- Transportation Services
  • Agriculture & Life Sciences Building - Sustainability Double Degree, Soils Department
  • Austin Hall - Career Success Center, Academic Advising Office
  • Ballard Hall - Agriculture & Resource Economics, Center for Agriculture & Environmental Policy
  • Bates Hall - Child Development Center: Human Development and Family Services
  • Burt Hall- College of Earth , Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Champinefu Lodge - Human Services Resource Center, Family Resource Center
  • Dawes House - Geology and Geophysics Department
  • EOA Sciences Administration Building - Administration Office
  • Gladys Valley Gymnastics Center - SMILE Program
  • Hattie Redmond Women and Gender Center
  • Kerr Administration Building - Office of the Registrar
  • Kidder Hall - Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistants
  • Oak Creek Building - Sustainability Office
  • Property Services Building - Procurement, Contracts, & Materials Management
  • Richardson Hall - College of Forestry
  • Research Way Lab Building - Botany and Plant Pathology
  • Student Experience Center - Associated Students of Oregon State University, Center for Civic Engagement
  • The Valley Library - Library Staff
  • Waldo Hall - Academic Success Center, University Exploratory Studies Program, University Ombuds Office
  • Weniger Hall - National Pesticide Information Center
  • Wilkinson Hall - Undergraduate Student Services Office

Return to the main Composting in Departments page