A large part of the waste sent to landfills in the United States is organic material. This includes leftover food, grass clippings, and other natural items that can break down. When buried without air, these materials release methane, a strong greenhouse gas that worsens climate change. Experts say composting is an effective way to reduce this problem. Composting is the natural process of breaking down organic waste using air, moisture, and small organisms. Robert Reed from Recology explained that compost helps the soil hold water and makes it stronger against droughts, fires, and erosion. Many places in the U.S. now offer compost pickup services. Others work with nonprofits or private companies to collect food waste.

Composting can be done both outside and inside the home. Outdoor composting usually involves putting food and garden waste into a bin and mixing “greens” like vegetable scraps with “browns” like dry leaves or cardboard. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns against adding meat or dairy to avoid bad smells and pests. Compost must be mixed often to get air and can take three to twelve months to break down. Indoor composting, called vermicomposting, uses special worms to create rich compost in a few months. Some new machines promise faster results, but experts like Nora Goldstein say they do not fully complete the process and need careful use.