Grant expands composting efforts across campus  

Thanks to a grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Grounds and Sustainable Operations are expanding Purdue’s composting program, increasing its capacity and diverting more organic material from landfills. 

The grant provided half of the funds to purchase a tractor and windrow turner, equipment that significantly increases the university’s composting capacity. With the new equipment, Grounds expects to divert an additional 90 tons of organic waste from entering landfills each year, transforming leaves, grass clippings, branches and other landscape debris into nutrient-rich compost that can be reused across campus. 

Rather than disposing of organic materials in landfills, Grounds processes them into compost, which is mixed with enriched stock soil and used throughout campus landscapes and projects. This approach helps put materials generated on campus back to use while supporting healthy soils and reducing waste. 

“This grant is helping us take the next step in expanding Purdue’s composting efforts,” said Phil Richey, director of Grounds. “The additional capacity means we can keep more organic material out of landfills and put those resources back to work on campus.” 

The expanded composting operation supports Purdue’s commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship by keeping valuable organic materials in use instead of sending them to landfills. As the program continues to grow, Grounds will be able to process a wider variety of organic materials, further reducing waste and creating long-term benefits for campus operations and the environment. 

Grounds and Sustainable Operations are both part of the Administrative Operations organization, which supports the university with safe, reliable and transformative services. Securing grants and investing in projects that enhance campus sustainability and environmental stewardship are just some of the many ways the organization powers Purdue. Be sure to follow Administrative Operations on Facebook and Instagram for frequent updates.