Across many nations but in America in particular, most of us lack access to composting infrastructure and even more are unaware of the problem. Food waste is a signifiant contributor to pollution yet its one we can all help solve. If we do have food waste, composting is the next best thing, in fact it can help make our soils more resistent to draughts and flooding and improve the soil health dramatically.
Composting is a natural process by which any organic material, such as food waste or lawn trimmings, is broken down by naturally occurring bacteria and fungus in the soil to form compost. The resulting materials—compost—is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that looks a lot like soil itself.
Things to compost include tea (with the bag unless the bag is plastic), and coffee grounds (including paper filters). Animal products can like meat and dairy are compostable but can create sticky odors that invite rodents or insects, so its best to check local availability first or buy a modern home composter.
Plant trimmings, leaves, and grass cuttings are great too. For yard waste, break it into small pieces before throwing into a composting heap and avoid diseased leaves and plants as they may infect your compost. Natural paper products are compostable, but glossy papers should be avoided as they can overwhelm your soil with chemicals that take longer to break down.
You can start today after your next meal by seperating your food scraps. Scoop them into a container or a bag and store it away for depositing later. If you don't have a home composting system, look up your nearest compost spot here.
When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting significantly reduces these emissions.
These values are supported by research from Project Drawdown, which found that composting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% compared to landfilling. Studies show that each ton of compost can sequester approximately 0.5 tons of carbon.
We convert your CO₂ savings to equivalent car miles based on EPA data:
This calculation uses the EPA standard that an average passenger vehicle emits approximately 404 grams (0.89 pounds) of CO₂ per mile driven. When you avoid 1 pound of CO₂, it's equivalent to not driving 1.123 miles in a typical car.
We convert your CO₂ savings to equivalent car miles based on EPA data:
Research from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan has demonstrated that adding compost to soil dramatically increases its ability to retain water. Studies show that increasing soil organic matter by just 1% can help soil hold up to 16,500 additional gallons of plant-available water per acre. This means less irrigation is needed, conserving valuable water resources.
When organic waste is processed for biofuel:
Second-generation biofuels made from agricultural residues, wood, and municipal waste can generate renewable energy while diverting waste from landfills. The smartphone charging equivalency is based on standard smartphone batteries requiring approximately 15-20 watt-hours per full charge.
Traditional composting creates natural fertilizer:
Finished compost contains valuable nutrients that enrich soil naturally, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers that can harm waterways through runoff.
Our calculations are supported by research from: