Be Heard, Become a Runner!
This short, informal speech is something we encourage you and your friends to say at the beginning of your classes this semester! You can use this speech verbatim or switch it up and make it your own. Don't be discouraged if your classmates ask questions you don't know the answer to-- if they do, direct them to our website or encourage them to email us at [email protected]. We recommend that prior to your speech, write the following on the board:
"Auraria Campus Composts!
See for yourself in the Tivoli
For more information or to volunteer, visit the website:
www.compostauraria.weebly.com
facebook: CompostAuraria"
We challenge you to say this speech in EACH of your classes! And, if you do a "30-Second Compost Crash Course" in any of your classes, shoot us an email and let us know so we can keep track of how many students we've reached out to! Without further ado, get out there and be heard!
The "30-Second Compost Crash-Course!" (sample)
"Auraria Campus Composts!
See for yourself in the Tivoli
For more information or to volunteer, visit the website:
www.compostauraria.weebly.com
facebook: CompostAuraria"
We challenge you to say this speech in EACH of your classes! And, if you do a "30-Second Compost Crash Course" in any of your classes, shoot us an email and let us know so we can keep track of how many students we've reached out to! Without further ado, get out there and be heard!
The "30-Second Compost Crash-Course!" (sample)
- Introduction: Start off how you would like. It's always a good idea to introduce yourself. Start with an icebreaker like "how many of you have heard about the new composting program on campus?", "how many of you know what compost is?", or "what percentage of Denver's household waste is compostable?"
- Tell your class a little about composting: "Composting is a natural process where organic materials (once living) decompose into a nutrient-rich soil additive. There are many benefits to composting, among them is (INSERT ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE FACTS FROM BELOW, OR USE OUR FAVORITE) waste diversion-- reducing the amount of stuff that goes into landfills. This is important because landfills are the U.S.'s #1 source of methane and are a BIG greenhouse gas contributor."
- Then, tell them about the program: "This spring semester, Auraria Campus started its very first composting program! Check out the bins in the Tivoli and to learn more or become a part of the Compost Auraria student group, visit their webpage." (students from any school are welcome to join)
- Let your classmates ask questions!
Cool Compost Factoids
- Every metric dry ton of food that goes to a landfill may generate .25 metric tons of methane in the first 120 days. Thus, composting this food waste would reduce emissions by the equivalent of up to 6 metric tons of CO2. USCC Factsheet "Greenhouse Gases and the Role of Composting :A Primer for Compost Producers"
www.compostingcouncil.org/education/resources.php
- Compost can capture and destroy 99.6 percent of industrial volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in contaminated air. According to the EPA
- The U.S. sent 25 million tons of food waste to landfills in 2005. The greenhouse gas impact of composting this mass would be the equivalent of removing 7.8 million passenger cars from the road. The Benefits of Composting from www.denver.gov
- Compost-enriched soil can also reduce erosion, alleviate soil compaction, and help control disease and pest infestation in plants. "Innovative Uses of Compost Erosion Control, Turf remediation and Landscaping" EPA530-F-97-043 October 1997.
www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/pubs/erosion.pdf
- Compost bioremediation has proven effective in degrading or altering many types of contaminants, such as chlorinated and non-chlorinated hydrocarbons, wood-preserving chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum products, and explosives. "Innovative Uses of Compost Bioremediation and Pollution prevention "EPA530-F97-042,October 1997
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/composting/pubs/bioremed.pdf