Composting positively impacts greenhouse gas emissions by reducing methane emissions compared to landfilling organic waste. When organic materials such as food scraps and yard waste are sent to a landfill, they decompose anaerobically, meaning without oxygen, which leads to the production of methane—a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential many times greater than carbon dioxide.
In contrast, composting occurs in an aerobic environment where oxygen is present. This process naturally encourages the breakdown of organic materials into compost while emitting significantly lower levels of methane. By diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting aerobic decomposition, composting effectively mitigates the release of methane and contributes to a reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions. It is an environmentally friendly way to manage organic waste, allowing it to be transformed into valuable compost that can enhance soil health, while also addressing climate change concerns associated with waste management practices.
It is important to recognize that while composting greatly reduces emissions compared to other waste disposal methods, it does not eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions entirely. Emissions can still occur during the composting process, but these are typically much lower than those from landfilling.