Food decomposing in landfills produces methane, a fast-acting greenhouse gas; the EPA attributes most fugitive landfill methane to decomposing food. Five states—California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont—use bans, mandates, and thresholds to keep organics out of landfills. Vermont enforces a universal ban since July 1, 2020; California's SB 1383 sets targets to reduce organic waste and recover surplus food; Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island apply generator thresholds and phased expansions including schools. Policies pair organics collection, composting, donation, and enforcement to divert food to composting, recovery, or donation.
"If you want a behavior to change, you change the rules. We've seen it work with tobacco taxes and retail display bans, so we know that when the policy shifts, habits follow and public-health metrics move. Food waste is getting the same treatment. Five pioneer states now restrict tossing food into landfills in one form or another: California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont."
"The approaches vary, with Vermont using the bluntest tool: Since July 1, 2020, it has had a universal landfill ban on food scraps for residents and businesses alike, with town drop-offs, haulers, and backyard composting as the off-ramps. California uses a mandate model, with SB 1383 requiring every jurisdiction to provide organics collection and setting statewide targets: 75% less organic waste to landfills by 2025 and recovery of at least 20% of still-edible surplus food."
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