A new student-driven initiative could make the University a greener place — and save some green as well.
Matt Wyatt, Student Government College of Agriculture senator, drafted a finance bill last week asking for funds to support a composting initiative. The SG Senate will vote on the resolution today.
“What is holding us up right now is funding,” said Amanda McWhirt, agronomy graduate student.
McWhirt’s interest in composting was sparked while participating in a group project for a horticulture class last spring. Her group’s class project has since blossomed into a full-fledged initiative to implement University composting.
The group researched facts and figures and compiled a proposal showing the feasibility of composting food waste from the two dining halls on campus.
The project will require an initial start-up investment of $52,500, according to McWhirt’s group. The one-time fee will provide a trailer to transport waste from the University to an off-campus composting site, as well as site preparation and irrigation.
Projected yearly expenses for the endeavor would cost nearly $77,000 and would mainly go to pay the yearly salary for a composting tech and graduate student.
While she thinks the price may seem steep, especially in times of budget cuts, McWhirt said the investment would be worthwhile.
“LSU pays $111,500 for waste disposal services every year,” McWhirt said. ”We could save the University roughly $34,500 every year in