California State University, Northridge 3

The project takes the ancient practice of composting and, through a new kind of alchemical process, may not be turning lead into gold but is doing something at least if not more important: turning kids’ uneaten school lunches into nourishment for plants, nutrients for biodiverse ecosystems, and a haven for carbon capture and landfill reduction. This new system of composting is the result of five years of laboratory research and development and the intuition of a graduate student that there could be quick commercialization of the innovation. Field-tested in a prototype application supported by Pando Days last year, the large-scale composting operation diverts organic waste away from landfills and, in the process, creates stronger ecosystems by using waste to enhance soil, improve water retention, sequester carbon, and support key nutrients for vegetation growth. Now the work is beginning to scale with institutional applications under development.  At scale, the project will not only deal with massive amounts of food waste that otherwise would end up in the landfill, it will create large-scale greenhouse gas mitigation and increase fire resilience. All that in addition to soil regeneration, naturally.

Faculty Lead:
Sheila Steinberg

Students:
Carlos Marin

Collaborating Partner:
Raizes, LAUSD Arminta Street Elementary, CMHC, La Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, Wallace Laboratories, CSUN Jeff Marine Bull Ring New Venture Competition

Aligned LA County Sustainability Plan Goals:
Goal 5: Thriving ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity. Goal 9: Sustainable production and consumption of resources. Goal 10: A sustainable and just food system that enhances access to affordable, local, and healthy food.

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