By equipping residents with the knowledge to understand composting鈥檚 value, it can make collection services accessible and help to implement mandates that turn good intentions into consistent action.
By Michelle Horneff-Cohen
Despite the increasing momentum surrounding the issue of food waste reduction and resource conservation in the U.S., a staggering 72 percent of Americans still do not dispose of their food waste in an environmentally friendly manner, according to a recent survey by the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA). This stark reality highlights the urgent need to develop innovative solutions that could spur people鈥檚 motivation to compost. Here are three major evidence-backed solutions that can transform the average American into an eager composting supporter.
#1: Educating Residents About the Value of Composting
Education is a crucial factor in increasing people鈥檚 motivation to compost. A far greater hurdle than lack of access is the lack of understanding about the value of the practice of composting. Misconceptions persist, such as the belief that composting requires advanced technical knowledge or that it is inherently messy. Many people do not know how organic matter turns into compost or the significant environmental benefits that it provides.
With the right knowledge, misconceptions can be replaced with appreciation for composting鈥檚 benefits to both the planet and our daily lives. California offers a strong example: in 2023, the state collected more than 7.7 million tons of organics, thanks in part to statewide educational initiatives led by the California Department of Resources and Recovery (CalRecycle). These programs offered hands-on opportunities for residents to learn about organic waste management, making composting easier to understand and adopt.
California鈥檚 investment in resident education should serve as a model for other states aiming to increase participation. But Americans do not have to wait for their city or state to provide learning opportunities. Every individual can take responsibility for building a healthier planet by seeking out knowledge about the regenerative composting process and applying it in daily life.
Photo courtesy of Clean Composting Company.
#2: Making Compost Collection Services Accessible and Affordable
According to the NWRA survey, 67 percent of non-composters said they would be more willing to compost if collection and processing services were available in their communities. Many of these individuals emphasized that they wanted convenience without additional cost.
Currently, only 27 percent of U.S. residents have access to effective, free organic waste services. Increasing accessibility and affordability is essential for boosting participation. By making organic waste collection free, flexible, and widely available, municipalities can remove a major barrier and make composting a natural choice for more households.
#3: Banning Organic Food Waste Disposal and Imposing Mandates
Bans and legal mandates are often the secret sauce for ensuring citizen engagement in organic waste management programs. A survey by ReFED, a U.S.-based nonprofit focused on reducing food waste, found that more than two-thirds of people who do not currently compost would be open to trying it if their city or state required it.
Imagine if every city in the U.S. followed California鈥檚 example, where municipalities are required to provide curbside organic waste pickup for residents. According to the EPA, San Francisco, already a leader in composting, saw significant increases in daily organic waste collection after implementing its mandatory recycling and composting ordinance in 2009. Before the mandate, San Francisco collected about 400 tons of compostable material daily. Within the first three months of the law鈥檚 implementation, that number jumped to around 700 tons per day.
The results speak for themselves: banning organic waste from landfills and implementing mandatory curbside composting are powerful strategies to drive widespread participation.
Turning Good Intentions into Action
The path to widespread composting adoption in the U.S. is clear. Equip residents with the knowledge to understand its value, make collection services accessible and affordable, and implement mandates that turn good intentions into consistent action. Each of these solutions addresses a critical barrier, and together they create a system where composting is no longer a chore but a natural part of daily life.
We have the data, the examples, and the tools to make it happen. Now it comes down to leadership and commitment from city officials, waste management companies, and community members alike. Every banana peel, coffee ground, and plate scrap diverted from landfills brings us one step closer to cleaner air, healthier soil, and a more sustainable future.
The choice is ours. With the right approach, composting can become as common in American households as recycling is today. Let鈥檚 not wait for mandates to push us forward. Let鈥檚 lead the way. | WA
Michelle Horneff-Cohen is the Founder of Clean Composting Company and Creator of The Compost Collector庐. With a passion for sustainable living and more than 25 years of experience in residential property management, Michelle saw, first-hand, the need to tackle inefficiencies in organic waste management. Driven by her vision for a cleaner, greener future, she leads the company in developing innovative, sustainable solutions that empower communities to compost with ease and confidence. For more information or bulk pricing options, contact Michelle at (415) 269-8803 or e-mail [email protected]. To order The Compost Collector庐, visit .
References
National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). Food Waste Survey 2023. Retrieved from https://wasterecycling.org
California Department of Resources and Recycling (CalRecycle). Organics Management Annual Report 2023. Retrieved from www.calrecycle.ca.gov
ReFED. U.S. Food Waste Insights 2023. Retrieved from www.refed.com
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). San Francisco Mandatory Composting Ordinance Data. Retrieved from www.epa.gov