Value Of Composting Research Paper

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Beginning in the 1980’s, countless Americans have taken a keen interest in protecting the Earth from the excessive waste produced by American culture and lifestyle. Led by a number of progressive cities, the United States has seen the the promotion of community recycling and composting programs. With populations near one million, San José, San Francisco, and Seattle have pioneered a national effort towards a greener country and sustainable future. Looking at the success of their efforts, it is clear that the United States is ready for a national program to facilitate an American effort towards a zero waste future via composting and recycling. To begin, understanding solid waste is essential to understanding the valuable programs which …show more content…
Composting Council has explained the value of composting by scientifically analyzing why it is important for organics to stay out of landfills. First and foremost, landfills are harmful to the environment due to their tendency to produce methane gas. According to one study, methane gas is “25 times more harmful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide” (“Keep Organics Out”). Though newer landfills have built systems to collect methane gas, older landfills still lack the technology necessary to capture these emissions. Even landfills that are equipped for methane capture fail to solve the problem entirely, because “25% of the methane generated in a landfill with gas collection will escape” (“Keep Organics Out”). On the other hand, composting is an environmentally conscious alternative to landfills. Composting does not produce methane in the same way as landfills, because organic waste only generates methane gas when placed in an anaerobic environment. Thus, the same piece of organic waste which generates a significant amount of methane in a landfill can generate a virtually insignificant amount of methane when placed in a compost pile. In fact, the only greenhouse gas emissions generated in the composting process are a result of managing operations and facilities. In addition, compost is beneficial because it saves valuable space. As a versatile substance for landscaping, erosion, and stormwater management, compost is not destined to sit in a pile for eternity. Thus, it can save valuable space in city and urban areas. Composting’s versatility is likewise important for the process of nutrient cycling. Less than one third of leaf and branch materials placed in a landfill actually biodegrades. The compost made from this same material can produce biological energy to fuel nutrient cycling (“Keep Organics Out”). In all, composting’s ability to limit methane emissions, liberate miles of land, and fuel important biological processes illustrates its advantages to
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