Fast Facts
- Composting and digesting U.S. food waste could cut greenhouse gases by up to 99%, but would introduce over 22,000 tons of microplastics into farm soils annually.
- Most food waste is buried, producing methane that significantly worsens climate impact,composting reduces this damage drastically.
- A significant portion of plastic—up to 29% by weight—comes with food waste, and current waste processing only captures about 99% of it, leaving some plastic to reach farms.
- Recycling food waste adds minimal nutrients (less than 2%) to farms but could increase plastic pollution,better packaging design and biodegradable options are needed to mitigate this.
Recycling Food Waste Can Cut Emissions Significantly
Many Americans throw away millions of tons of food each year. Instead of landfilling, composting and digesting this food can greatly reduce greenhouse gases. For example, composting can lower carbon dioxide emissions by up to 89 percent. Digestion, a process that turns food into gas for power, can nearly eliminate carbon dioxide damage. Right now, most food waste just ends up buried, releasing methane—a gas that traps much more heat than carbon dioxide. By recycling food waste, we can help fight climate change and make use of organic matter in a better way.
Microplastics Enter the Soil Through Recycling
However, a new study shows a downside. When we recycle food waste, tiny pieces of plastic come along for the ride. About 4 percent of loose food scraps contain plastic items like wrappers and stickers. When these scraps are composted or digested, they deposit roughly 1,900 tons of plastic on farms each year. Even with advanced machines that remove most plastics, some still slip through and reach the soil. Over time, these microplastics can build up in farm lands. This raises concerns because plastic in soil can affect plants, animals, and possibly human health.
Balancing Opportunities with Challenges
Implementing widespread food waste recycling has practical hurdles. While composting near food production sites helps reduce plastic spread, it won’t eliminate it entirely. Better packaging designs, especially biodegradable wraps that break down quickly, can cut plastic buildup by up to 99 percent. Still, recycling food waste must be part of a broader plan. It offers a chance to reduce climate impact and improve resource use. However, keeping microplastics out of soil remains a challenge that needs continued focus. As more states adopt food scrap rules, understanding these impacts can help us build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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