Is it possible to keep large amounts of trash out of our landfills?
Students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are exploring innovative ways to manage waste, create compost, and improve soil health on campus. They took part in the Tour de Trash, a hands-on exploration of Oʻahu’s waste management practices to inspire them to implement ideas on campus. The tour, organized by the UH Mānoa Office of Sustainability and the Student Sustainability Council, featured visits to Hawaiian Earth Recycling and the Magoon Wormery (Oʻahu Wormery Ohana).
At Hawaiian Earth Recycling, students saw how hot pile composting transforms yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. This large-scale process not only keeps organic materials like tree branches and grass clippings out of landfills but also contributes to environmental sustainability. Many students were inspired by the potential of large-scale composting to reduce landfill waste and improve soil health.
The group then visited the Magoon Wormery, a collaborative project led by Hui Koʻe ʻĀina and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). Participants were introduced to the world of vermicomposting under the guidance of a master vermicomposter, Mindy Jaffe. They learned how worms transform organic waste into vermicast, a nutrient-rich product that serves as an essential resource for regenerative agriculture.
“All of the attendees were interested in the wormery tour as well as the applications of this waste management system,” said Meggie Perkins, a CTAHR student and volunteer at the Magoon Wormery. “Students watched the worms at work and felt the finished vermicast product, which shocked them with its unique characteristics.”
“Exploring waste management, particularly how green waste is processed, offers an exciting opportunity for students and staff,” said Ruby Aliason, a tour organizer from the Office of Sustainability. “The experience brought classroom knowledge to life and left participants inspired and more informed about composting practices.”
