How does composting play a role in reducing GHGs?
Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil-like material. Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic waste into new soil, which can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping, and many other applications. In 2006, data on U.S. Municipal Solid Waste generation indicate that of the 251 million tons of solid waste generated, 12.9% is yard waste and 12.4% is food residuals. A large portion of food waste is generated from food processing, pre- and post-consumer utilization, and institutional locations (i.e., hospitals, universities, etc.). When yard waste and food residuals are composted rather than landfilled the amount of GHG emissions are reduced since composting is a biological process of decomposition which produces CO2 both during the composting process and after the compost is added to the soil. Because this CO2 is naturally-occurring and returns to the atmosphere through photosynthesis, it
