Tackling the Climate Crisis: How Organic Waste Bans Can Drive Sustainable Change

Food waste is a significant contributor to the climate crisis, with food decomposing in landfills generating methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To address this issue, some states have implemented organic waste bans, which limit the amount of food and other organic waste that can be disposed of in landfills or incinerators. These policies not only reduce harmful emissions but also encourage food waste reduction efforts, such as increased food donations and the development of composting infrastructure.

Unlocking the Potential of Organic Waste Bans

The Urgent Need to Divert Organic Waste

Food waste accounts for a significant portion of municipal landfill contents in the U.S., amounting to 24 percent. This is a critical climate issue, as the decomposition of food in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the near term. Keeping food out of landfills is a crucial strategy to protect the environment and ensure that this valuable resource is directed to better use.

State-Level Policies: Driving Sustainable Change

At the state level, organic waste bans are emerging as one of the most impactful policies for reducing food waste. These policies can take the form of outright bans, where organics are prohibited from entering landfills and incinerators, or mandatory organics recycling requirements for businesses. Both types of laws can include thresholds that change over time to incorporate more generators, ensuring a gradual and inclusive approach to waste reduction.

The Benefits of Organic Waste Bans

Organic waste bans offer a range of benefits, including job creation, the expansion of organics recycling infrastructure, lower costs associated with sending material to landfills, and significant greenhouse gas reductions. Additionally, these policies can help increase the rescue and redistribution of surplus food, ensuring that edible food is directed to those in need rather than ending up in landfills.

Successful Implementation: Lessons from Massachusetts

While some studies have suggested that organic waste bans have been unsuccessful, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. The case of Massachusetts, which saw a 13.2 percent reduction in disposed waste, highlights the importance of factors such as affordability of compliance, regulatory simplicity, and strong enforcement and monitoring. These elements should be incorporated into organic waste bans to ensure their effectiveness.

Expanding Organic Waste Bans Nationwide

With food representing the largest portion of landfilled municipal solid waste and organics overall accounting for nearly half of all municipal solid waste generated, there is a significant opportunity to expand state-level organic waste bans. Deploying more centralized composting, source-separated anaerobic digestion, home and community composting, food rescue, and food waste prevention can divert millions of tons of organic materials from disposal each year.

Tools and Resources for Policymakers

Fortunately, there are resources available to help states adopt effective organic waste bans. The Zero Food Waste Coalition's State Policy Toolkit provides model policy language and guidance on crafting these laws, ensuring that policymakers have the tools they need to drive sustainable change.As the climate crisis intensifies, the need to address food waste has never been more urgent. Organic waste bans offer a powerful solution, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging food waste reduction efforts, and promoting the sustainable management of this valuable resource. By implementing these policies and leveraging the available tools and resources, states can lead the way in creating a more sustainable future.