In the United States, the staggering figure of 66.2 million tons of wasted food was recorded across various sectors in 2019, with a mere 5% being composted, as highlighted in the Environmental Protection Agency’s article “Impacts of Sending Food and Other Organic Materials to Landfills.“
Food waste stands as the predominant component in U.S. landfills, constituting 24.1% of municipal solid waste, which increases to 51.4% when combined with yard trimmings, wood, and paper/paperboard. Tragically, the decomposition of these organic materials in anaerobic landfill conditions yields methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Municipal solid waste landfills rank as the third-largest human-related methane emitter in the U.S., contributing approximately 14% of methane emissions in 2021, with wasted food responsible for 58% of landfill methane emissions.
Sending food and organic materials to landfills not only squanders valuable nutrients and carbon but also exacerbates methane emissions, intensifying climate change impacts. However, by opting for composting, we can repurpose food scraps and yard trimmings, enriching the soil, fostering plant growth, and bolstering local ecosystems and communities.
Composting emerges as a localized solution, with organic materials processed into compost near their generation sites, promoting local employment opportunities and economic growth.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of epa.gov
Photo with all rights reserved, courtesy of depositphotos.com
