Composting Food Waste is Good for the Environment
Food waste is a significant global issue, with households contributing to a substantial portion of the problem. In 2022, households worldwide were responsible for 60% of total food waste, while 40% of it was generated from the food service and retail sectors.
The problem of food loss and waste contributes significantly to the climate crisis. If massive piles of organic waste are dumped into landfills, it releases methane into the atmosphere as the food waste decomposes.
Food loss and waste generate 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. That's nearly five times the total emissions from the aviation sector! If it were a country, the carbon footprint of food waste would rank third as the top emitter after China and the United States.
Methane emissions from food waste in landfills
Carbon emissions are a primary cause of climate change, and organic waste decomposition in landfills is a significant contributor to these emissions. When organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, ends up in landfills, it decomposes anaerobically.
This anaerobic decomposition process releases methane into the atmosphere. Methane is 26 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide (CO2). It has a significant role in contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Municipal solid waste landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions from human activities in the United States, where 24% of the waste is food waste. Food waste in landfills decomposes rapidly, contributing to more methane emissions than any other material disposed of in landfills. Approximately 58% of the fugitive methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills are from food waste.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted a comprehensive study titled "Quantifying Methane Emissions from Landfilled Food Waste" to assess the release of methane into the atmosphere from decomposing food waste in municipal solid waste landfills across the United States between 1990 and 2020. The findings revealed a significant issue. Despite an overall decrease in total emissions from municipal solid waste landfills, methane emissions specifically from landfilled food waste are increasing.
The data underscores the urgency of addressing food waste management practices to mitigate methane emissions. It confirms that diverting food waste away from landfills is a crucial strategy for reducing methane emissions associated with municipal solid waste. By implementing effective waste diversion strategies, such as composting or anaerobic digestion, communities can significantly reduce their methane emissions footprint and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Composting is a simple yet effective strategy for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. The aerobic process of composting does not produce methane because methane-producing microbes are not active in the presence of oxygen. Therefore, composting is a viable method for mitigating methane emissions from organic waste that would otherwise accumulate in landfills. Composting techniques that minimise anaerobic conditions and maximise aerobic conditions are particularly effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The impact of composting on methane emissions can’t be overstated. According to Nature journal Scientific Reports, composting results in 39% to 84% lower greenhouse gas emissions than landfilling.
Moreover, according to CalRecycle, the implementation of Mandatory Commercial Recycling targets commercial waste diversion as a strategy to diminish greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is crafted to accomplish a reduction of 5 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalents. To meet the objective of this measure, an additional 2 to 3 million tonnes of materials annually must be recycled from the commercial sector by the year 2020 and beyond.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also highlights the importance of composting in reducing methane emissions from organic waste worldwide, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts on a global scale.
Commercial composting uses aerobic and anaerobic methods to transform food, garden and organic waste from households and businesses collected at the kerbside into compost. Commercial anaerobic methods contain the biogas that is generated, so that it can be used as a renewable energy source.
How do compostable materials contribute to reducing carbon footprints?
Solinatra materials are sourced from 100% natural and renewable resources, which generally have a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics. This means that the production process emits fewer greenhouse gases, thereby reducing overall emissions.
Solinatra materials are compostable and biodegradable at the end of their life cycle. Coffee capsules made of Solinatra have been awarded “OK compost Industrial” by TÜV Austria CERT GmbH in 2023. This year, Solinatra Universal Food has also been awarded “OK compost Industrial” by TÜV Austria. These certifications ensure Solinatra is the truly sustainable alternative that can be treated like organic waste for composting practices.
Products made of Solinatra are suitable for home and industrial composting. By diverting Solinatra to composting facilities, where they can decompose aerobically, methane emissions are significantly reduced and in anaerobic facilities the gasses are captured and siphoned off for use - not released into the atmosphere.
Solinatra compostable materials can be part of closed-loop systems where, at its end-of-life, Solinatra will return to compost that can be used as a natural fertiliser, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers that are often produced using energy-intensive processes.
Choosing Solinatra means promoting sustainable practices and mitigating the environmental impact of various industries, ultimately contributing to the reduction of emissions. Get in touch to discuss with our team to make your switch!
Sources: