Compost food waste

Food waste in landfills emits methane. Widespread composting that diverts food waste reduces methane emissions, which is enough of a reason to do it, but it has multiple other benefits. When the compost is added back to the land, it increases soil biodiversity, supporting plant life and increasing carbon sequestration on land. It improves agricultural yields, plant health, and possibly tree cover and cooling effects. It improves the water retention in the soil, percolating more precious rainwater, and increases resiliency against drought and heat. The more the soil is improved the more these benefits multiply.

We need homes and businesses to enthusiastically support residential and commercial food waste composting - which includes everything from coffee grounds to chicken bones and pizza boxes. In our home we compost plant matter onsite and diligently send all other food waste out with our yard waste. However the biggest impact will be when restaurants, schools, and other big businesses get on board.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas but it only lasts a fraction of the time that carbon lasts in the atmosphere. Ramping down methane emissions aggressively today will show benefits in atmospheric methane within the next decade -- but meanwhile we will enjoy the benefits of improved soils almost immediately. This is one of the most effective things that every household and enterprise can do right now, and it's easy and virtually free.