Miami University is stepping up its green game by installing five composting systems in Armstrong Student Center for the 2023-2024 school year. The systems will consist of a television and a camera that uses artificial intelligence to tell students where to discard their waste. The system will also include four bins, which will be categorized as landfill, recycling, composting and paper. “Students have been asking for composting for so long,” said Olivia Herron, director of sustainability. “We’ve been hearing this is something students want … We just need them to take two seconds [to use the system].”
The system, called Oscar Sort, is able to identify all parts of a student’s trash and where they should go. All students have to do is put those parts in each bin. Miami received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to fund these systems. The fees for composting, which will be done through GoZERO, are split between Armstrong and Aramark. In anticipation of the systems, Aramark has also worked to change their dining practices to fit with composting, including using compostable cutlery for meals.
Kourtney Spaulding, associate director of events and operations for Armstrong, says this has been a pet project for her since she came into her position. However, she understands the new system might not feel “normal” immediately. “It takes time to build a culture of change,” Spaulding said. “Everyone’s got to buy in and participate.”