UVA is continually expanding composting access throughout Grounds to make progress towards the University's ambitious waste reduction goal. 

Composting keeps food waste and other organic materials out of landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and returning nutrients back to the soil.

UVA works with Black Bear Composting, a local company, to collect organic material and other compostable items. All material is composted at the company’s facility in nearby Augusta County, Virginia. Black Bear accepts: 

• Food waste: including produce, dairy, meat, bones, and more
• Uncoated paper: including napkins, paper towels, paper bags, and paper plates
• Certified compostable wares: Check to see if your to-go container, cup, bowl or utensils are compostable. Look for the Biodegradable Product Institute (BPI) Certified logo, “PLA 7” recycling symbol or the regulated terms "compostable" and "commercially compostable." Items with these labels may be placed in the green compost bin. (See graphic on the right)

Composting Services

On Grounds

Zero Waste Stations

Students, staff and faculty can find 24/7 accessible compost bins throughout the year. These bins should only be used for materials generated on Grounds.
 

• McIntire Amphitheater
• Observatory Hill

UVA Dine

You can find compost bins at West Range Cafe and Fine Arts Cafe. Bring your compostable clamshell, leftover food, or other compostable items during cafe hours. All food waste generated by the UVA Dine halls is composted.

UVA Health

Compost bins are available at Wahoo West Café in the West Complex and Good Grain Café in the UVA Orthopedic Center Ivy Road. Leftover food and compostable wares (e.g., compostable cups, straws, food containers, utensils, napkins) from the cafés can be placed in the green compost bins. All food waste from meal preparation in medical center cafés is also composted.

Residence Halls

Students living in the following residential buildings have continual access to compost bins at the following locations:

• International Residence College
• Hereford College
• Brown College
• The Lawn

Workplace

Faculty and staff can learn more abut the possibility of bringing composting into the workplace by emailing [email protected].

Off-Grounds

Charlottesville City Market  Each Saturday from April to October, the Charlottesville City Market has compost drop-off stations for those who would like to participate. Compostable bags are provided free of charge at the City Market Composting Booth. 

McIntire Recycling Center  Drop off compostable items during regular facility hours. Free 3-gallon compostable bags are offered at the Center’s kiosks.

Black Bear Composting  Join the Black Bear Residential Composting program. Black Bear will provide a bin or tote (depending on your needs) with a compostable bag and will regularly pick-up compostable material for a monthly fee.

Zero Waste Events

Interested in composting at your next event? Check out the Zero Waste Events page to learn more. 

Caution

Be wary of labels such as the following that make a product sound "green", but do NOT mean a product is compostable. Only the labels shown in the green box above designate a product as compostable.