Susan Higgins is the Associate Director of Materials and Recycling at Northeastern University. She leads programmatic and contractual aspects of the University’s waste management program, including tracking metrics to measure progress and implement changes. Recent initiatives have focused on elevating the campus food waste management program beyond the dining halls and into residence halls and other campus areas. Ms. Higgins holds a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering/Hazardous Materials Management from Tufts University.

Session Code: 6A

Track: Operations

Session Name: Institutional Composting

Session Time: Thursday, February 8, 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Presentation Title: Composting at Northeastern University: A Case Study of Successful Campus Composting through Collaboration

Presentation Description: Northeastern University is a global research university with an urban campus in the heart of Boston. It has had a successful composting program since 2006 with an estimated 839 tons of food waste diverted to composting in 2022. The success of the campus program is built on a foundation of collaboration, including significant involvement by students. This case study will provide an overview of the Northeastern University composting program, details on how the program has grown through collaboration, challenges that are currently being addressed, and new opportunities that are being explored.