2014: A Year of Big Steps for Waste Diversion
Posted by Eco-Products on Jan 6th 2015
January is always a good time to reflect. When looking back at 2014 through the lens of zero waste, it was a pretty good year. Of particular note was the number of states that passed or implemented requirements to divert organic material (think: food) from landfills.
Connecticut and Vermont began requiring organizations that generate more than two tons of organic material per week to divert that material from the landfill, so long as they are located within 20 miles of a composter, anaerobic digester, or other facility that will accept it. Massachusetts implemented a similar law but did not stipulate a maximum distance, meaning that as long as an establishment generates more than one ton or more of food waste per week, they must send it somewhere other than the landfill. California, Rhode Island, and (at the city level) New York City, all passed similar laws that will kick in this year or next.
Why is this important? In the U.S., we send more food to the landfill than any other material – more than paper, more than plastic. We think it’s much cooler for food to be composted than rot in a dump. Not only does this save space in the landfill, it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions (which emit from rotting food) and creates valuable soil amendment. Finished compost can reduce erosion, improve soil pH, reduce the need for irrigation and fertilizer, and improve plant health. How cool is that? Hopefully 2015 brings us even more examples of waste diversion and increased recognition of the importance of composting.
Want more info? Check out the US Composting Council’s papers on keeping organics out of landfills and the benefits of compost.
Want help with your zero waste efforts? Please contact your Eco-Products representative or your friendly Sustainability Maven at sustainabilitymaven@ecoproducts.com
Of course we happen to have a related video. The video below is about what happens to food and compostable products when they are sent to a commercial composter. Find this and more videos on our YouTube Channel.