Taking Action to Reduce Climate Change
Compost for Climate Health
Composting organic waste is an easy and effective way to reduce waste, save money, support sustainability, improve soil health, and benefit the environment. Try it and see how it can help your home, community, and wildlife!
Join Team Earthworm—Compost!
Composting helps the planet by keeping organic waste out of landfills. When organic material goes into landfills, it decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), and the bacteria breaking it down produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Putting food scraps, soiled paper products, and plant debris in the compost is one of the easiest ways to reduce methane emissions and slow climate change.
Climate change is the long-term shift in the Earth's average surface temperature that results from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, habitat degradation, and more. After decades of this issue being discussed in the media, many of us have "climate fatigue." But, if we approach it like any daunting task, breaking down the problem into small parts and solving them one at a time, the solution is obtainable, and we can be empowered by this success.
By sorting your trash, you're Taking Action for Wildlife
Black Bears
As the planet warms, black bears hibernate less and search for food year-round, often entering human areas. We can help by sorting organic waste and using bear-proof bins, keeping wildlife safe and reducing greenhouse gases.
Reticulated Giraffes
Reticulated Giraffes in Kenya face worsening droughts from climate change. With less food and water for both wildlife and people, composting organic waste can help cut methane, cool the planet, and restore rainfall.
River Otters
River otters' habitats are being inundated by garbage and microplastics. By correctly recycling plastic waste, we can keep our planet’s waterways clean and debris-free. This simple act will safeguard a blue planet for all.
Gibbons
Gibbons are rapidly losing forests to farming and industry that fragment their habitats. By recycling metal and paper, we reduce resource extraction, save energy, and help protect the forests they call home.
Guess what? Composting is California law.
The California Senate Bill 1383 is a statewide effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) emissions by reducing organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. Organic waste emits 20% of California methane, a super climate pollutant. California residents are diverting organic waste from landfills by putting it in a serviced compost bin or composting it themselves.
Sort your organics
Together we ensure organic waste goes to compost, not landfills...preventing up to 60 pounds of methane being produced each year per person!
Share with others
If each of us inspires another to act, we can make a greater impact—each American household produces about 1,200 lbs of compostable waste yearly!
See how Oakland Zoo is Taking Action for pollinators by composting.
