Compost has been in the news, and not all the press is good. There are concerns about invasive worms, PFAS, and other potential contaminants. You might find yourself wondering: How can I know that the compost I buy is okay? A wise consumer knows what to look for and what questions to ask. We'll arm you with information based on science and outline all the benefits we collectively share when we keep food scraps out of landfills and in compost systems - and use compost in our gardens and yards.
So: what’s all the hype about composting in the first place?
Producing food requires significant resources, such as water, energy, and land. Not to mention all the trucking involved to get it into stores and then to our homes. When food is wasted, these resources are essentially thrown away as well.
In landfills, food waste decomposes and emits methane, and this potent greenhouse gas contributes to climate change. Food waste in landfills is the third-largest source of methane emissions in the United States. When we compost instead, food waste becomes a valuable soil amendment that farmers and gardeners can use to grow more food. Using compost also helps reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can harm the environment.
In addition to the environmental benefits, composting food can also help save money. Landfills are expensive to operate and maintain, and communities often pay for these costs through taxes and other fees. Composting also creates and sustains local jobs in each stage of the organics recovery cycle. On a per-ton basis, composting alone employs twice the number of workers than landfills and four times more than incinerators. By creating a valuable product, compost employs even more people in selling and using it.
Overall, keeping food out of landfills and composting is a critical way to reduce our environmental impact, conserve resources, support local agriculture and economies, and save money. We can all make a positive difference by taking small steps like supporting local composting programs or composting food scraps at home.
Composting is a valuable solution despite concerns about invasive worms, PFAS, plastics, and other contaminants. Composting helps reduce the volume of materials in landfills, where some pollutants pose a greater environmental risk. And well-managed composting operations follow best practices for limiting these issues in their final products.
Learn more about your concerns & understand what questions to ask to ensure you're buying compost you can feel good about using.