In March, College House at the University of Canterbury took a significant step toward sustainability by installing a SoilFood™ system to process the food waste generated by its dining halls. With 200 students on-site, the volume of food waste can be considerable, but the SoilFood™ system has effectively reduced landfill waste while producing nutrient-rich fertiliser for the college's gardens and lawns.
Each 50kg cycle of food waste yields 14kg of SoilFood™, which is used to nourish the lawn, creating lush, green grass, and enriches the vegetable garden, improving soil health and fostering increased worm activity. The success of the system has been so remarkable that College House now offers the compost to staff, with demand quickly surpassing supply.
This initiative underscores College House's strong commitment to sustainability, with the SoilFood™ system playing a key role in both waste reduction and environmental stewardship. College House is setting a high standard for sustainability on campus, and demonstrating how educational institutions can successfully incorporate waste management practices into their operations.
