UArizona Compost Cats

Happy 4th of July! Are you curious to see which holiday staples you can compost this year? Swipe to find out!

Thank you to the Arizona 4-H Youth Summit participants for joining us in ENR2! Swipe to learn more about this event!

Ready to turn your food scraps into fuel for the future? If you’re interested in reducing household waste and learning about the ins and outs of composting in our desert environment, this is your sign to get started. Swipe to view our upcoming in-person information sessions across Tucson throughout June.

Did you know your compost pile is full of living microbes that need water to survive? During the intense heat of a Sonoran Desert summer, a dry pile stops breaking down organic waste and goes dormant. Check out our Sponge Test to see how your compost is doing!

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 graduates! Your dedication, creativity, and hard work have left a lasting mark on the Compost Cats program. We are so proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to cheer you on as you embark on your next adventures!

Greta Cotraccia served as Maintenance Team Lead, as well as a member of the FoodCycle team. She is graduating with a major in Environmental Studies and minor in Sustainable Built Environments. Upon graduation, she plans to move to Austin, TX!

Kaitlyn Barth was our Environmental Education Team Lead, in addition to helping out with maintenance and outreach. She is graduating with a major in Leadership and Learning Innovation and minors in Astronomical Studies and Environmental Studies. This summer, she plans to road-trip to Pennsylvania and work at a summer camp at Elmwood Park Zoo!

Kayden Martinez worked as an Environmental Education Specialist. He is graduating with a BS in Geography, BA in Environmental Studies, and minors in Marine Science, Geography, and Environmental Studies. Post-graduation, he will intern at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Alabama, the state’s primary marine education and research center. At the end of the summer, he will head off to pursue a Professional Science Master’s in Marine and Environmental Science at the University of the Virgin Islands!

Laurel Doan served as a Compost Systems Specialist and assisted with outreach. She is graduating with a major in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and a minor in Biochemistry. She plans to work for a year and then attend dental school!

Azzy Johnson worked as an Environmental Education Specialist, as well as contributed to the maintenance and FoodCycle teams. She is graduating with a major in Natural Resources!

Katie Sweet was our Marketing & Outreach Team Lead. She is graduating with a double major in Dance and Biosystems Engineering. Upon graduation, she intends to pursue a professional dance career while staying involved in research!

To all of our graduates, thank you for everything!

We’re so glad you asked! Compost Cats is a student-focused and community-based program within the University of Arizona Office of Sustainability that works to divert food waste and mitigate climate change in Tucson.

Compost Cats transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, advancing waste diversion, climate action, and food security. Through advocacy, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, we provide free composting services, training, and resources to empower the Tucson and university communities in creating a more sustainable future. By leading these hands-on efforts, our student employees gain real-world experience and develop career-ready skills.

We support two major composting programs run by the City of Tucson Environmental Services: FoodCycle at Home and FoodCycle Commercial. FoodCycle at Home provides a drop-off residential composting service to divert food waste from Tucson community members. FoodCycle Commercial offers local businesses the opportunity to compost their food waste.

We also do education and outreach at our three major demonstration sites: Cooper Center, Tucson Village Farms, and the U of A Community Garden.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or check out the links in our bio!

This Cinco de Mayo, we’re thinking about food with more care. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, and it can also be a moment to reflect on how we prepare, share, and use food. We hope you find these tips helpful!