The University of Arizona Compost Cats program works to divert food waste, manure and other organic materials from the landfill and transform them into a high quality soil amendment for local agriculture and landscaping use.

Compost Cats student employees are engaged in every aspect of the business: from operating heavy equipment on the farm and planning waste management services at events, to collaborating on important business decisions and presenting at national conferences. This gives students the opportunity to develop valuable leadership and problem-solving skills.

Compost Cats has formed permanent partnerships with the City of Tucson, San Xavier Coop Farm, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and many other private businesses, schools and nonprofits in the region. This social capital will make the group a significant player in local waste and food security planning for our region’s future.

Compost Cats provides an economically and environmentally sustainable business model for Southern Arizona by building local food security through the transformation of organic waste into soil fertility and providing public education on composting, food waste, and recycling.