Photo Credits: Zachary Lane, Isabella Jones, Nura Behgoman
Story by: Kelsey Naupari
Mason Students Spearhead Residential Composting Pilot: Turning Trash into Treasure
As Mason’s commitment to sustainability grows, so does the ambition of its students to contribute to this vital journey. A group of visionary students, known as the Trash Pandas, is taking steps towards researching composting in a campus residential setting. Their sense of collaboration and deep commitment to sustainability is simple and yet offers an opportunity for students to turn their trash into treasure through composting.
In their EVPP 480 class, taught by Dr. Jen Sklarew, students – Zachary Lane (BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies ’24), Isabella Jones (BS in Environmental Science and Public Policy ’25), and Nura Behgoman (BA in Communications ’24)— reached out to the Patriot Green Fund, securing $500 in support for their composting pilot. This funding was instrumental in acquiring the necessary materials to kickstart their initiative, along with the approval of the housing office in the Northern Neck residence hall.
The focus of their initiative, on the 5th floor of the Northern Neck residence hall, included:
- Conducting a pre-trial survey of Northern Neck 5th floor residents
- Provide a select few of resident’s compost jars (30) that’ll then be measured and later emptied in the nearest compost collection bin.
- Following, a post-trial survey of the Northern Neck 5th floor residents.
- Leading to the final stages of presenting their comprehensive report of results and analysis.
For this project team, this initiative was about more than building a waste reduction strategy; it’s an experiment designed to deepen the university’s understanding of student engagement with sustainability and to evaluate the practicality of residential composting.
The Trash Pandas state, “by focusing on a single floor, we aim to provide a baseline for a successful system that can be expanded, demonstrating that composting is a viable, effective, and convenient sustainable direction for our campus.”
Their efforts represent a direct engagement with the campus community, educating, and equipping residents with the tools and knowledge to adopt simple composting practices.
Bringing to life their project did not come without its challenges. They faced the challenge of scaling their vision within a semesters time, learning to adapt and focusing their efforts on a targeted, impactful approach. To them, the PGF’s support was more than financial; it was a source of “guidance and advice throughout our projects development,” offering a foundation upon which they built their initiative.
As the semester wraps up, the Trash Pandas shared a few encouraging words to those looking to bring to life their sustainability visions:
“ Start with a larger issue and then narrow down the focus of your work to begin at the local level. This is manageable for college students, and big changes come from smaller steps.”
Through this residential composting pilot, the Trash Pandas hope to inspire a shift towards more sustainable living, illustrating how small actions can lead to significant environmental benefits.
Learn More about Composting Locations & the PGF