According to the EPA, food waste comprises about 24 percent of all waste disposed of in municipal landfills. What's worse - about 58 percent of the landfill methane released into the air comes from that food waste. That's why it's more important than ever to play close attention to how much food we are putting in our trash cans and how much we can divert from the landfill.
The first step is reducing how much food waste that is produced altogether. By meal prepping, making good use of leftovers, and being mindful of how much we buy at the grocery store, we can limit the amount of food that needs to be thrown away. But when we must toss it - composting is the best way to keep it out of the landfill.
Here are some food composting options:
- Backyard Composting: If you want a more hands-on approach, you can try backyard composting. This helps save money on mulch and fertilizer for your spring gardens.
- Take it to a composting drop off spot. The Ann Arbor Compost Site accepts food waste for a fee.
- Some businesses like Bad Apple Compost in Toledo do a bucket exchange for a membership fee.
- There are companies like The Mill that provide a bin and a mail-in option for food composting for a subscription cost.
- Get an in-home food composter machine. For an initial purchase cost, a machine in the kitchen that you can scrap your food into and it will yield some soil for your garden is an easy way to start composting.