True or False: You just ate an apple and tossed the core into the trash. Since it’s natural, it will biodegrade over time.
False.
While an apple core is organic, it won’t break down properly in a landfill. For decomposition to occur, organic materials need oxygen, but since landfills are so tightly packed to maximize space, oxygen is squeezed out. This results in organic waste decomposing anaerobically (without oxygen), which produces biogas (aka greenhouse gases)—primarily methane, along with smaller amounts of water vapor and carbon dioxide. Methane is especially harmful to the planet as it traps heat 34x more effectively than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, which significantly contributes to global warming.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, food waste accounts for approximately 2.6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, which might seem small, but that’s more than the emissions from 37 million cars. The good news? Composting eliminates these greenhouse gas emissions!
Reducing Food Waste
Before digging into composting (pun intended), let’s talk about food waste.
Sure, composting is great for responsibly disposing of not-normally-eaten organic items like peels and stems, but it’s best to reduce food waste altogether.
About 50% of produce in the United States is thrown away, with the average American throwing away 1 lb of food daily. This equates to roughly 72 billion pounds of food being tossed into landfills annually. Not only could that amount feed 2 billion people annually, but it also has serious environmental consequences when sent to landfills.
These are W&P’s top 3 tips for reducing food waste:
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Buy Only What You Need: Take a cue from Europeans—shop for groceries more frequently and purchase only what you’ll consume in the next day or two. And don’t forget your reusable bags!
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Keep Produce Visible: Avoid the produce drawer where everything goes to die. Instead, store fruits and veggies in plain sight to remind yourself to use them. Airtight containers can help extend shelf life. Our team loves to store leafy greens in our 50oz Reusable Stand-Up Bag, carrots and celery submerged in water (keeps them extra crunchy) in our 36oz Standup Reusable Bag, and berries in our Seal Tight Bowls.
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Freeze It Before It Spoils: If perishable foods are on the verge of spoiling, freeze them for smoothies, stir-fries, etc. Our Flat Reusable Bags, Roll Tight Storage Bags, and Freezer Cubes are perfect for this.
Why Composting Matters
As mentioned, when food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper waste end up in landfills, they decompose without oxygen, which creates greenhouse gas emissions. Composting introduces oxygen, allowing microbes, fungi, and worms to break down materials without producing harmful gases. The result? Compost—a nutrient-rich, soil-like material perfect for gardening and houseplants.
How to Compost
There are three main composting methods:
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Commercial Composting (most common!): Collect your food scraps and send them to a composting facility. Some cities provide compost pickup, similar to trash and recycling services. Check with your local waste management facility or look for composting options at farmers’ markets, community gardens, and schools. You can also reference this list of composting drop-off sites in every state.
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Backyard Composting: If you have about one cubic yard of space, you can create a compost bin using an empty trash can or a designated pile. The key is a 2:1 ratio of browns (carbon-rich dry leaves, twigs, and dirt) to greens (nitrogen-rich food scraps and yard clippings. Add water and periodically stir the mixture to accelerate decomposition. Composting can take anywhere from two months to two years, so be patient!
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Vermicomposting: No yard? No problem! Redworms can break down food scraps into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants. This method is perfect for smaller spaces.
What Can Be Composted?
Any plant or animal-based product is compostable, though some facilities do not accept animal-based waste (chicken bones, dairy, pet waste). Check local guidelines before dropping off your compost! That said, all commercial composting programs will accept plant-based materials, including:
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Fruit and vegetable scraps (peels, cores, stems)
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Sticks, yard clippings, dead plants
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Paper, coffee grounds, tea bags (avoid plastic-lined ones!)
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Napkins, used matches, bamboo toothbrush handles
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Greasy cardboard pizza boxes (which cannot be recycled!)
Storing Food Scraps
Any large container will work, but freezer storage is best to prevent stinkiness and fruit flies. Plus, frozen scraps can last for months until you’re ready to compost! Our team loves to store food scraps in the freezer with our 50oz Reusable Stand-Up Bag, Roll Tight Storage Bags, or large Freezer Cube.
Final Thoughts from Team W&P 🌱
Composting is an easy, impactful way to reduce landfill food waste and fight climate change. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your waste turn into something wonderful—every effort helps!
