Food waste methane is one of the less obvious climate problems. When food is buried in a landfill, it eventually rots without oxygen, and that creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
How landfills make methane
Landfill gas is about half methane and half carbon dioxide, according to the US EPA.
Waste first breaks down with oxygen and makes little methane. Typically within a year the oxygen runs out, and bacteria start producing methane.
A big source
Municipal solid waste landfills were the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the US, about 14.4 percent in 2022, the EPA says.
Food was the largest single part of landfilled municipal waste in 2018, about 24 percent of everything sent to landfills.
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Keeping food out
Buying only what you need, eating leftovers and composting scraps all keep food out of the landfill.
The fine print
Many landfills capture part of their methane. The rate varies by site.
Why it matters
Methane traps far more heat than carbon dioxide in the short term, so keeping food out of landfills is a fast way to make a difference.
Try it yourself
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Key takeaways on food waste methane
Here is the short version on food waste methane. Landfill gas is about half methane and half carbon dioxide, according to the US EPA. Waste first breaks down with oxygen and makes little methane. Municipal solid waste landfills were the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the US, about 14. Food was the largest single part of landfilled municipal waste in 2018, about 24 percent of everything sent to landfills. Buying only what you need, eating leftovers and composting scraps all keep food out of the landfill. Many landfills capture part of their methane. Methane traps far more heat than carbon dioxide in the short term, so keeping food out of landfills is a fast way to make a difference.
Use these points on food waste methane as a starting point, check the numbers against your own home or business, and share what you learn with someone who can use it.
