🍂 Why We Should Keep Organic Waste Out Of Landfills 🗑️
Organic waste, like food scraps and yard debris, doesn't need to end up in landfills where it can often cause environmental problems. The misconception is that since organic waste decomposes much quicker than plastics, oils and metals, landfills are the perfect place to dispose of it; but science says the opposite. When organic material is buried in landfills under piles of other garbage, it decomposes slowly without much oxygen. This slow process creates acidic water. During rainy days, this water, now mixed with rain, moves through the trash and forms a toxic liquid called leachate, which can seep into the ground and water sources, polluting them with bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Moreover, as this organic waste breaks down, it releases a lot of methane, a gas that is much more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, contributing significantly to climate change.
We can combat these issues by keeping organic waste out of landfills. By composting kitchen scraps and yard waste, or using designated organic waste collection services, we can turn this waste into nutrient-rich compost instead of harmful pollutants. This not only reduces the production of methane and toxic leachate but also recycles nutrients back into the earth, promoting healthier soil. Every bit of organic waste we divert from landfills helps protect our environment and combat climate change.
Vermicomposting is an excellent way to reduce household waste by having worms eat food rapidly with their voracious appetites and produce a practically odorless but nutrient-rich fertilizer as a result.