Composting Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

Posted by Jamie McIntosh Mar 5, 2009

When I think of reducing my carbon footprint, the first thoughts that come to mind are energy saving activities most of us are familiar with, such as adjusting the thermostat, using CFL light bulbs, and driving an energy efficient car or using public transportation. However, composting as much food waste as possible also reduces your carbon footprint.

How is it possible for a few slimy celery stalks or coffee grounds to increase the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere? The answer lies in the type of bacteria that consume food waste in an oxygen-free environment. The anaerobic bacteria at work in landfills release huge amounts of methane gas as they decompose your food scraps. This gas has an even more potent greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide.

Every two pounds of food scraps that gardeners put into the compost bin instead of the landfill ultimately keeps a pound of greenhouse gases out of our atmosphere. Although it’s difficult to quantify the amount of food that ends up in landfills, researchers estimate that Americans alone discard more than 29 million tons of food each year. That’s a lot of garden gold going to waste.