Mona Miraftab

Nice work Mona!

Before coming to college, I had no real knowledge of composting. Since getting to UCLA, I have a compost bin in my dorm room and there are many compost bins around campus, especially at the dining halls where all of the boxes, cups, utensils are compostable. Although I have begun composing since being at college and know it's beneficial, I never knew specific benefits until I looked them up after reading your post. 

After doing some research, I now know that composting lowers my carbon footprint. According to the Eco Guide, "Food waste represents 21.1% of the trash produced in the US even after recycling and composting are taken into account." With this in mind, it becomes even more clear how reducing this waste can go a long way in reducing total waste in the United States. The process of taking food waste from homes to landfills involves a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. Not only do garbage trucks use a lot of gas and increase emissions relating to the long distances they travel and high number of stops they take, there are also high emissions at landfills as well. With this in mind, I now feel more educated about why composting is crucial. In the past I had never seen a garbage truck and thought about how many stops it takes and how much it contributes to emissions. Just this year I feel like I have come such a long way in my mindfulness towards sustainability and carbon footprints. Composting has become a large part of my daily life this year at every meal, and I am grateful that UCLA has provided the resources to its on-campus students to practice sustainable actions. 

Like you mentioned, although this is a small action, if everyone contributes to composting and begins to make composting part of their daily life, it can make a big difference. In order to do this, I think the first step is to get more compost bins out in public. Although I see them everywhere on campus, the second I leave campus they disappear and there is only garbage bins. The more compost bins are promoted and added to streets and busy areas, the more aware people will become off composting on a daily basis. Inspired to do more, I have begun looking into the US Composting Council to find more ways I can get involved and advocate for the cause. 

Hi Mona,

I really enjoyed reading the story behind your compost bin! I did not realize that chickens will eat anything. I wonder if Randy’s chicken like rice also? I think it is amazing that you are starting to compost! I really want to encourage my family to get a compost bin as well. My boyfriend’s family has a compost bin and they put the compost in their garden, where they grow herbs and tomatoes. After I have more free time once schools gets out, I want to start growing fruit trees in my backyard. I am curious to learn more about which types of fruit trees you have in your yard! I recently planted a walnut tree, and I am really excited to have fresh walnuts. 

I think it is amazing you are reducing your footprint by composting. Another way you could try reducing your carbon footprint is by avoiding unnecessary trips in your car. I recently took on the EcoChallenge to cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips and only using muscle-powered transportation for all other trips. I have found it very rewarding so far! I discovered a local farm down the street from my house where I can buy produce, eggs, and jam. I bought some delicious strawberry jam yesterday that is made with strawberries grown down the street from my house. It feels so good to eat locally grown food. In addition, purchasing food from this farm rather than driving to the grocery store can allow me to greatly reduce my car trip mileage, especially since the grocery store is a fifteen minute drive away. Additionally, I am trying to plan my meals more so I don’t have to make as many trips to the store. If I know which ingredients I will need for the entire week, I can purchase them in one trip.