ENST480: Campus Sustainability Developing a Student Budget-Friendly Cookbook on Campus Garrett Adams, Elanor Jacobs, Charles Johnson, Katy Williams Project Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD
Food insecurity remains a significant sustainability challenge on campus where many students face limited access to affordable, nutritious meals. Central Washington University data shows that 48% of students are on a meal plan, meaning more than half rely on low-cost, nutrient-poor food options because they lack access to free meals and may face financial or time constraints. To address this issue, a student and budget-friendly cookbook was developed to promote accessible, healthy eating using ingredients that are commonly available through Wildcat Pantry and Farm. The project involved collaborating with stakeholders to identify frequently available pantry items and seasonal produce found on the farm. The resulting cookbook included 13 recipes designed to be affordable, beginner friendly, and simple while supporting multiple diets. In addition to physical copies distributed through the Wildcat Pantry, a digital version accessible via QR code was created to increase accessibility and usability. This cookbook contributes to campus sustainability by improving food literacy, significantly reducing barriers to nutritious food access while encouraging the use of campus resources. This cookbook helps build long term skills such as cooking to encourage students to become more self- sufficient during and after higher education. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Food security, Cookbook, Sustainability SOURCE Form ID: 145 Moving Towards Sustainable Practices at Central Washington University Through Composting Sammie Bacon, Nora Jacobs Project Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD The United States produces roughly 133 billion pounds of food waste per day and Central Washington University (CWU) contributes at least 110 pounds to this running total every day. While CWU has made meaningful strides toward improving sustainability on campus—through expanded recycling programs, increased environmental awareness, and long-term planning for waste reduction—composting has remained a challenge due to infrastructure limitations. The ultimate goal is to implement an industrial- scale composter capable of handling campus-wide organic waste. Plans for such a system are underway. However, until those resources become available, a shorter term solution is the addition of two upgraded composters made from recycled material from the farm as well as the campus Surplus store. Pallets were repurposed to construct two enclosed composting bins with front-hinged doors for easy access. One of the primary limitations of the previous composting system at the farm was exposure to wind and weather, which made it difficult to maintain consistent conditions for effective decomposition. The updated design addresses this issue by enclosing the bins with recycled plastic material, providing full coverage on all sides. This structure helps regulate moisture levels and reduces wind exposure, creating a more controlled environment for composting. This project offers a meaningful reduction in organic waste sent to the landfill. The project functions as a practical interim solution for composting at Central, demonstrating innovation, resourcefulness, and the campus community’s continued commitment to sustainability. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Waste, Recycle, Compost SOURCE Form ID: 215
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