You probably have heard by now that compost has many benefits for your soil, but can composting combat climate change? That is a resounding yes!
Recent studies show compost plays a larger role than just supporting soil health; it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, decaying food waste in anaerobic conditions (those which lack free oxygen), like a landfill, produces methane, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Approximately 58% of methane emissions from landfills are due to food waste and 14.4% of all human-related methane comes from landfills. That makes landfills the third largest source of human-related methane. Composting is the final step in limiting food waste after source reduction, donating and upcycling.
Summit Metro Parks offers free composting through a partnership with Rubber City Reuse. Learn more about SMP’s sustainability efforts and find out how you can start composting in the parks.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.