The Need

DID YOU KNOW ...

• One person produces about one tonne of waste per year in North America;
• In more developed countries, about 40% of waste content is organic;
• In less developed countries, about 70% of waste content is organic;
• Organic waste provides about 10% of the world’s Greenhouse Gases (GHG) through the creation of methane (CH₄); and
• Methane is a 21 times more powerful at warming the atmosphere than Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

WHY LANDFILL DIVERSION IS NECESSARY

The diversion of organic waste from landfills is necessary to:

1. avoid the creation of methane - a potent greenhouse gas;
2. harness the energy content of the waste;
3. preserve natural resources;
4. increase the life of existing landfills;
5. protect soil and groundwater from contamination; and
6. reduce the cost of waste management.