In Vermont it's now illegal to throw your apple core in the trash. Vermont's Universal Recycling Law aka "the landfill ban" went into effect last year. It cuts landfill methane by diverting food to feed the hungry and the soil, as well as banning other recyclables.
How did they do that? How is it going? What does it matter where that apple decomposes? A soil scientist, 2 farmer-composters, the head of Vermont's Food Cycle Coalition and the guy in charge at the state will tell you.
Storytellers:
Tom Gilbert-organic farmer, Black Dirt Farm
Josh Kelly-Chief of Materials Management for Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation
Chuck Wooster, organic farmer, Sunrise Farm
Sintana Vergara- Assistant Professor Environmental Engineering, Humboldt State University
Natasha Duarte- Food Cycle Coalition, Composting Association of Vermont