In the United States, a lot of waste sent to landfills is organic. This means food scraps, grass, and other things from nature. These items break down over time. But in landfills, they do not get enough air. This causes them to release methane, a gas that makes climate change worse. Experts say composting is a good solution. Composting uses air, water, and tiny living things to break down the waste. Robert Reed from a company called Recology said compost helps the soil keep water and makes it stronger during dry weather or fires. Some cities pick up compost, and some areas use small companies or groups to help.

Composting can happen outside or inside. Outside, people put food and garden waste in a bin. They mix “green” items like fruit or vegetables with “brown” items like paper or leaves. The Environmental Protection Agency says not to put meat or cheese in the bin because it can smell bad and bring bugs. The compost must be mixed sometimes and can take months to finish. Inside, people use worms in a process called vermicomposting. Some machines try to do it faster, but experts say these do not always work well.