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The article focuses on a study by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) highlighting the significant amount of paper and cardboard waste that ends up in landfills across the U.S. Topics include the economic and environmental implications of this waste disposal method, the geographical distribution of landfilled paper and cardboard waste.

A peer-reviewed paper published in Nature Cities claims that urban agriculture has six times the carbon intensity of conventional agriculture. The paper is based on survey results from gardens in France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. The authors used a model called Ecoinvent to calculate emissions, but the assumptions in the model were not shared. The study found that urban farms had lower emissions than traditional agriculture within three years of establishment, while individual and collective urban gardens had higher emissions. The paper acknowledges the benefits of urban agriculture, such as better eating habits and a connection to nature and neighbors, but suggests that current practices may need improvement. [Extracted from the article]

A recent White Paper commissioned by the Minnesota Composting Council (MNCC) highlights concerns over the lack of standardized compost used in state projects. Issues such as inconsistent quality, immature compost, and the presence of invasive species have led to hesitation in using compost. The paper recommends establishing a compost certification program to ensure quality and suggests adopting the national definition of compost approved by the American Association of Plant Food Control Officials. The MNCC is in discussions with the MN Crop Improvement Association to move these recommendations forward. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed to updating regulations for how landfills monitor, capture, and control methane emissions. The EPA is collecting information on new technologies and approaches that could be incorporated into updated rules for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The agency is working on a series of white papers to inform the proposed regulations, covering topics such as gas capture systems, aerial monitoring for methane, and incentivizing organics diversion. The new rules are expected to be issued in 2025. [Extracted from the article]

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released the "2023 Vermont Waste Composition Study" in May 2024, which found that the percentage of food scraps disposed in municipal solid waste (MSW) decreased slightly from 2018 to 2023. However, the tonnage of food waste disposed decreased by 13%, indicating the effectiveness of the mandated food waste disposal ban. The study also revealed that the current waste stream composition is similar to the 2018 results, with organics, paper, and special/other materials being the most prevalent in landfills or incinerators. The study estimated that over 43% of the MSW waste stream in Vermont is not currently divertible, while 24% is potentially divertible through alternative recycling programs. The study also made a first-time estimate of Vermont's food waste recovery rate, which is believed to be at the high end compared to other states in the United States. The report provides more detailed information on residential food scrap management and the disposal of institutional, commercial, and industrial (ICI) food waste. The study concludes by discussing the transportation of organics and estimating the amount of food scraps being diverted to out-of-state facilities or in-state uses that are not reported to the Vermont DEC. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that grease-proofing materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are no longer being sold for use in food packaging in the U.S. This decision eliminates a major source of dietary exposure to PFAS from items such as fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out containers, and pet food bags. The FDA engaged with companies in 2020 to cease sales of these substances following a safety assessment, and the voluntary commitment by manufacturers to phase out the use of PFAS in paper and paperboard food packaging products was influenced by research conducted and published by FDA scientists. [Extracted from the article]

A paper published in November 2023 in Environmental Health Perspectives discusses the potential presence of contaminants in compost produced from urban food and yard waste, such as pesticides, lead dust, and PFAS. The research team conducted case studies in Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and New York City, examining waste-to-compost activities and legislation. The authors argue that inequities in composting practices are partially due to historical marginalization and loss of land, leading to food inequality among communities of color. They recommend that cities address these inequities by providing multilingual and multimedia communication and education about composting, and by engaging with volunteer garden coordinators and community organizers to advocate for the needs of community farmers and growers. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the initiation of a pilot residential food scraps collection program by the Division of Waste Services in Nashville, Tennessee, involving 750 single-family homes since October 2023. Topics include the program's weekly collection by Compost Nashville, the inclusion of soiled paper and BPI-certified compostable products, and the motivations behind the pilot as part of Nashville's Zero Waste Master Plan to increase waste diversion and address limited landfill capacity.

The National Academy of Sciences has released a report exploring the connection between soil health and human health. The report suggests that healthy soil contributes to healthy people, although the relationship is not well understood. While organic food is often seen as a way to promote soil health, the reality is more complex. The report also highlights the importance of compost and biosolids in improving soil health, but raises concerns about contaminants in these materials. The Organic Certification program, which sets standards for organic food production, may need to be reevaluated in light of new understandings of soil health. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the topic of bioplastics and their potential benefits and challenges. Bioplastics are plastics made from organic materials other than petroleum and can be engineered to decompose. However, the decomposition of bioplastics depends on the environment and can vary. There are different types of bioplastics, each with its own properties and decomposition rates. While bioplastics offer some hope for composting, there are concerns about their energy-intensive production and potential impact on food production. The article also highlights the need for compatibility between the composting industry's definition of compostable and the bioplastic manufacturers' definition. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of reciprocity with nature and the potential benefits of using biosolids and composts as tools for giving back to the environment. The author, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, emphasizes the importance of taking only what is needed and leaving some for others, while also recognizing and respecting the animate beings in nature. The author suggests that biosolids and composts can be viewed as valuable resources that provide important soil nutrients and contribute to the natural cycle. The article highlights the positive effects of using these materials in restoring polluted sites and promoting plant growth. The author concludes by advocating for a shift in perspective and providing individuals with the tools and motivation to contribute to environmental solutions. [Extracted from the article]

The Composting Consortium, led by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, has released a report on the challenge of contamination at composting sites in the US. The report includes data on the amount of contamination at composting facilities and the costs associated with managing it. Key findings from the report include the prevalence of conventional plastic as the most common contaminant, the persistence of plastic in finished compost, the significant impact of contamination on operating costs, and the lack of detectable amounts of compostable packaging in finished compost. The study serves as a reference point for future research and investment in composting solutions. [Extracted from the article]

New York City's curbside organics collection program, which began in Queens in 2022, allows residents to use any labeled bin with a lid for their setouts and accepts various types of organic waste. However, the program has faced challenges, with a low capture rate of 4.3% in 2023. The article raises concerns about the program's effectiveness, citing a lack of transparency in reporting and a discrepancy between the city's claims and actual results. The author emphasizes the importance of accurate data, community input, and ongoing communication to improve the program's design and address the unique challenges of different neighborhoods. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest version of the Waste Reduction Model launched in 1998, and invites public comments until February 9, 2024. Topics include the purpose of WARM in providing comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions reductions for various materials management practices, and the EPA's interest in input regarding the representation of diverse management practices and improvements in clarity and usability.

Compost Crew, a composting company based in Rockville, Maryland, has announced a merger with Key City Compost, a similar company based in Frederick, Maryland. The two companies have collaborated in the past and share a commitment to collecting residential and commercial food scraps. With over 21,000 residential customers and 600 commercial accounts, they recycle close to 15,000 tons of food scraps per year. The merger will allow for the expansion of Key City's composting facility and the development of more Compost Outposts®, decentralized food scrap composting systems. The companies also plan to increase their municipal service contracts to further reduce food waste in landfills. [Extracted from the article]

Plastic waste is a significant environmental issue, with an estimated 34 million tons generated annually, the majority of which ends up in landfills or oceans. Recycling rates for plastic are low, with only about 9% of plastic waste being recycled. Different types of plastic have unique properties that make recycling challenging, and the most common approach is mechanical recycling, which involves shredding and heating the plastic to make new products. Chemical recycling, which breaks down the plastic into its monomers, is a more expensive but potentially promising method. The United States lags behind Europe in plastic recycling rates, and recycling practices can vary by location. While efforts to reduce plastic waste are important, living a completely plastic-free life is not practical for most people. [Extracted from the article]

The City of Buffalo, New York has implemented residential food scraps initiatives to promote composting and reduce waste. The city established drop-off locations for food scraps at farmers markets and retailers, which have now become permanent year-round locations. In 2023, 96,600 lbs of food scraps were collected through the drop-off program. Additionally, the city launched a one-year pilot program for curbside food scraps collection, with 1,882 households participating. The program accepts all food scraps except meat and bones, and households are serviced weekly. [Extracted from the article]

California Wood Recycling, also known as Agromin, is expanding its composting facility in Santa Paula, CA to include food waste processing. The permitting process for this transition has been challenging and time-consuming. The facility will undergo various site improvements, including better access, construction of impermeable surface areas, and the addition of utilities. Agromin received a $10 million grant to install a composting system and expand the facility. The new facility will accept primarily residential organics and will serve all 10 cities in Ventura County. The project is expected to divert a significant amount of food and green material from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and provide free compost for community projects. [Extracted from the article]

Kaicycle, a composting organization based in Wellington, New Zealand, has developed the Living Compost Hubs App to manage their composting and customer needs. The app allows users to track feedstock characteristics, experiment with recipe development, and access recipes shared by other organizations. It also tracks temperature, capacity, and the amount of food scraps composted. The app is currently being tested in New Zealand and plans to launch internationally, including in the United States. The goal is to make the app financially sustainable through subscription fees. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the opening of a new food scraps composting facility in Roanoke, Virginia, which collects material from both curbside households and drop-off customers. Topics include the establishment of the composting facility on a property previously owned by the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op, the process of obtaining permits and approvals from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the operational setup of the composting facility.

The article focuses on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) October 2023 report on methane emissions from landfilled food waste, emphasizing that the report conclusively states that landfilling food scraps generates substantial methane. Topics include the use of older data in the report, highlighting the EPA's reliance on outdated estimates and emphasizing the need for more current and realistic data to address the significant environmental impact of methane emissions.

The article focuses on The Recycling Partnership's release of the "State of Recycling" report, revealing that only 21 percent of recyclable material is being recycled in the U.S., with 76 percent of the lost material occurring at the household level. Topics include the challenges related to recycling access and household engagement, the current participation rate of 43 percent, and strategies suggested by The Recycling Partnership.