Food Waste - Glossary

Compost: A mixture of decaying organic matter, such as decomposing leaves, manure, and kitchen scraps, used for enriching soil.

Compostable: Food scraps that are made up of mostly plant material, including grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Compost Bin: A closed container in which the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil-like material, takes place. Composting is nature's way of recycling organic wastes into new soil with the help of decomposers such as fungus, bacteria, and insects.

Decomposition: the process of breaking down organic matter into its basic elements including nutrients needed for plant growth. Decomposition occurs in nature and in controlled environments like compost bins.

Food Waste: Food that has been touched or placed on an individual plate and not consumed.

Food Waste Station: Scale, Wade, located in the dining hall used to weigh the amount of food waste collected at the end of each meal eaten in the dining hall. Food waste is divided into three categories: liquid, compost, and animal products. The food waste from the compost bucket goes into a compost bin on site while the liquid waste and animal waste are deposited into the garbage.

Free-Range: Animals that are not caged, but rather free to move about and feed at will. This term is often used to describe livestock that has been raised without pens or cages.

Humus: A dark brown organic component of soil that is derived from decomposed plant and animal remains and animal excrement. Humus improves the water-retaining properties of soil, making it more fertile and workable.

Leftovers: Food that has not been touched or placed on an individual plate and has remained in the serving platter.

Liquid: A substance in a condition in which it flows. In reference to the food waste station, any liquids, such as water, milk, and juice, poured into an individual glass and not consumed.

Municipal Solid Waste: More commonly known as trash or garbage, it consists of everyday items such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries.

Non-Compostable: Food scraps that are not composted because they attract pests and give off a bad odor. These include cooked foods, meats, fish, and dairy products.

Organic: In agriculture, organic refers to the practice of using naturally occurring pesticides and fertilizers instead of synthetic chemicals.
When referring to food, organic refers to food that is grown or reared without the use of synthetic chemicals.

Red Wiggler: The earthworm used in worm bins to break down organic matter into soil. Red wigglers eat their weight in organic matter each day.

Vermiculture: This method of composting uses a container of food scraps and a special kind of earthworm known as a red wiggler. Over time, the food is replaced with worm droppings, a rich brown matter that serves as an excellent natural plant food. Vermicomposting requires less space than normal composting methods, and is, therefore, ideal for classrooms, apartments, and other settings in high-density urban areas.

Worm Bin: a container especially prepared for worms to live in and eat organic garbage.