Don’t Toss Those Organics in the Trash!

Have you ever thrown away your food scraps into the trash without thinking about it? Chances are you probably have. When you throw your food or yard waste into the trash, it usually ends up in the landfill. There, it’s buried under layers of garbage with little oxygen, making it much harder to decompose. This produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that negatively contributes to climate change. According to an article by National Geographic, methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Garbage will always be present, but there is a solution to this problem that nearly anyone can do: Composting! Composting turns old food into a nutrient, rich soil that helps plants thrive. It also creates a healthier, more sustainable environment.

You can start composting by creating a compost pile at home. You may be thinking, composting must be so much work. In reality, it doesn’t take much effort, and you get benefited in return. According to the EPA, composting involves minimal effort and you even save money by producing a free, high-quality soil. Making a compost pile truly requires no additional equipment, knowledge, or expense. Overall, composting is a simple way to turn everyday food and yard waste into a valuable resource that helps protect our planet.

So, before tossing your organics into the trash, think about how it harms the environment you call home.

Emma Weinstein, 9th Grade, Marin School of Environmental Leadership, Terra Linda HS
San Rafael, CA

Click here to find compost bins in many of Marin County, California’s public spaces.