Community Events

Food Composting in Pittsburgh

The campaign for a SW PA organic waste management program began in 2001 and took action to develop a coalition of regional stakeholder groups, including the PA Department of Environmental Protection, (DEP), Professional Recycler's of PA (PROP), County Recycling Coordinators, University Representatives, commercial composting companies and others.  The charge is to explore effective ways SW PA communities can recycle food and other organic waste. The Allegheny Food Waste Composting Coalition has received a $6000 technical assistance grant in 2002 from the PA DEP and commissioned an organics recycling feasibility study. In 2003, Carnegie Mellon students conducted a cost benefit study for pre-consumer organics recycling at the university. In 2004, the coalition received a PA DEP 902 grant for $30,000 through Allegheny County for Food Composting Program Development. This grant was awarded early in 2005 and administered by the Pennsylvania Resources Council.  AgRecycle recieved a grant to purchase a food waste collection truck in 2007. 

Pittsburgh begins a food composting program the summer of 2008 and Carnegie Mellon starts their food composting program in the University Center October 2008.  All food prep from dining & catering, coffee grounds, and leftover food on trays from Schatz Dining Room are included in the food composting program.  AgRecycle collects approximatley 3 tons of food weekly from CMU at this time.

Food Waste Report 2006 (.PDF)

Household Hazardous Waste Collections (HHW)

Southwest Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Task Force: visit their website

 (photo taken from above website)

The History of the Task Force

Every day the city, the county and local environmental organizations receive inquiries from residents asking how they can dispose of materials that cannot be placed in regular trash or recycling collections. Homeowners continually search for environmentally responsible methods for disposing of common household products such as paint, solvents, automotive fluids, pesticides, insecticides and cleaning chemicals. As a result of an exploratory meeting held at Carnegie Mellon University in January of 2002 the Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force was formed to fill the need to secure funding, organize events and create a partnership of individuals representing governmental, private and public organizations.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the environment, serves as the project administrator. As the campaign's administrator, PRC's responsibilities include facilitating meeting, organizing collection events, spearheading fundraising and volunteer efforts and developing education and outreach materials.

Dell Recycling Event: Recycling Computers in the Community

Dell Recycling Event Collects 56.5 Tons!

As part of the Dell Recycling Tour, 41 volunteers helped to collect the 56.5 tons of computers and equipment in a one day event. Members of the community brought in old computers, monitors and equipment to this rare opportunity to have them recycled for free. Amongst the equipment that was recycled, 4 tons came from Carnegie Mellon University, and had been collected on campus during the week prior to the event.

Visit the Dell Recycling page to learn more about Dell Recycling!

Biodiesel Cross Country Relay and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a vegetable oil-based fuel that runs in diesel engines - cars, buses, trucks, construction equipment, boats, generators, and oil home heating units. It's usually made from soy or canola oil, and can also be made from recycled fryer oil (yes, from McDonalds or your local Chinese restaurant). You can blend it with regular diesel or run 100% BioDiesel.

On August 27, 2003 five Biodiesel powered vehicles came and visited Carnegie Mellon. Find out more about their tour at biodieselnow.com.