Methane forms in landfills due to decomposing foods, so people are encouraged to compost food. Why is composting (i.e. separating food from other garbage to decompose in dirt) any better?

Question

Methane forms in landfills due to decomposing foods, so people are encouraged to compost food. Why is composting (i.e. separating food from other garbage to decompose in dirt) any better?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

You are correct methane is the result of decomposition of organic matter.

Composting keeps the organic matter from going to a landfill and uses the material as fertilizer for home use in your garden.

This removes the organic matter from the land fill where it would eventually decompose but in the meanwhile occupies a lot of space.

It removes the greenhouse gases produced by the waste stream machines that move it from place to place.

So it is better for the planet. It will produce those gases either way but it becomes useful and doesn’t require space for storage or fuel to relocate it.