Are Landfills The Wrong Place To Dispose Of Food Waste?

Landfilling food waste contributes significantly to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, as organic matter decomposes anaerobically underground with limited methane capture. Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology highlight that diverting food waste to wastewater resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) can capture over 95% of methane, converting it into renewable energy and recovering valuable nutrients like phosphorus for fertiliser. This approach not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to landfills but also proves economically viable and environmentally beneficial, offering a sustainable alternative for managing food waste.