MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University Enactus chapter expects profit from a new enterprise based on the composting of food waste, coffee grounds and paper.

Composting efforts began in 2022 at the SMSU test plot site north of the campus. The next step is to scale up toward higher compost output in 2023.

It’s likely that Enactus will be able to sell compost material by 2025 at the latest. All profits will go toward Enactus projects aimed at giving students learning opportunities that relate to free enterprise.

“We want to take materials that are thrown away and do something useful with them,” said Valerie Messner, an SMSU senior and president of the Eactus chapter. “Our product needs to be sustainable and affordable. Based on what we’ve done so far, it looks like a great possibility.”

She said compost output is seasonal, as materials decompose faster in warm weather. Work completed last fall was a step toward determining the right mix of different inputs.

“We need the right percentage,” Messner said. “It’s a mixture of food products and paper. They need to react to each other in a way that leads to the most useful end product.”

Sam Lund, an SMSU junior and a leader of the composting project, said he hopes work completed in 2023 will become a steeping stone to a successful business venture.

Possibilities for eventual sales include farmers markets or retail outlets. Another option is to direct market the compost to homeowners and farmers.

“We’ll be working to get the product out to the public,” Lund said. “We think it’s something people will want. It will help with producing food products.”

Enactus was formed in 1975 as an organization called Students In Free Enterprise. It has hundreds of chapters at universities throughout the United States.

SMSU Enactus advisor George Taylor said the composting plan was developed as a way to give students practical experiences in a business. It’s hoped that they’ll learn how to satisfy customers, how to develop products and how to control expenses.

It’s expected that profit will eventually be substantial enough to create new opportunities for Enactus related student activities.

“It’s based on meeting a need for the community,” Taylor said. “It will give our customers a chance to raise better products and have more favorable outcomes.”