Cities, counties and states are developing local responses to climate change by producing Climate Action Plans across the country.
Compost—both disposal of food scraps and organic materials from landfilling and the carbon sequestration value of compost use for healthy soil—is key to reaching local climate goals.
In 2023 the federal government released $4.6B in funding for a program called Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.
In order for localities to access funds, their state first had to complete a Climate Action Plan. Check this tracker to see whether your state was involved.
EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (Implementation)
FROM EPA:
For more information, please refer to the General Competition NOFO and the Tribes and Territories Competition NOFO and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant website. Sign up for notifications about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.
RESOURCES FOR YOUR WORK:
The remainder of this page is an aggregation of resources designed to help government staff, advocates and consultants find the data and citations to include these strategies in your plan.
US Composting Council and Compost Research and Education Foundation Resources:
Definition of Compost – the product manufactured through the controlled aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. The product has undergone mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures, which significantly reduces the viability of pathogens and weed seeds (in accordance with EPA 40 CFR 503 standards) and stabilizes the carbon such that it is beneficial to plant growth. Compost is typically used as a soil amendment, but may also contribute plant nutrients. (AAPFCO definition, official 2018) Finished compost is typically screened to reduce its particle size, to improve soil incorporation. Citation information here.
Compost and Climate Change: USCC webpage here.
The Compost and Climate Connection Publication ($10-Compost and Research Foundation) – Authored by Sally Brown, University of Washington scientist.
Summary article on the publication
A Composters Guide To Project Drawdown
Angelina Peone, Soilbuilders Blog
How Compost Helps Address Climate Change, Drought and Fire: Compost University Course
Other Industry Resources:
BioCycle Connect: Climate Change Articles
Institute for Local Self Reliance: How to Advocate for Compost in your State and Local Climate Plans
Zero Food Waste Coalition: Toolkit for Commenting on Local Climate Plans
EPA: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Webinars and information
From Field to Bin: The Environmental Impacts of U.S. Food Waste Pathways, US EPA, 2023
Quantifying Methane Emissions from Landfilled Food Waste, US EPA, 2023
Other Resources:
Climate Action Planning: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions: Climate Plan Map
How To Create A Climate Action Plan Through Citizen Engagement
Assessing the Climate Change Mitigation Potential from Food Waste Composting, Nature, Scientific Reports, Perez, Vergara & Silver
Content on Reducing Food Waste, Food Rescue, and Composting:
World Resources Institute: The Business Case for Reducing Food Loss and Waste
Green Mountain Technologies: Using Life Cycle Analyses to Measure GHG from Composting
California Air Resources Board: Method for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions From Diversion of Organic Waste from Landfills to Compost Facilities