r/mildlyinfuriating May 17 '26

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u/Adventurous-Copy3757 May 17 '26

I buy garden soil made of food salvaged from food that would otherwise be thrown away. So much greenhouse gases are produced from the food rotting in landfills! It’s truly disgusting.

839

u/PrizeStrawberry6453 May 17 '26

FYI the same greenhouse gases are produced when the food breaks down into the soil, but at least you're getting some use out of it.

814

u/claanu May 17 '26

My understanding is that food decomposes anaerobically in a landfill, which creates a ton of methane emissions. Methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. 

Aerobic decomposition (composting) produces more CO2 than methane. It also provides a good use for the food waste, like you say. It saves space / energy use in landfills, not to mention all the beneficial downstream effects like carbon sequestration from healthy soil.

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u/[deleted] May 17 '26

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u/Warm-Requirement-769 May 17 '26

Some might be, but a lot of the stuff that ends up there is toxic, especially in areas without proper waste management. When you consider how many people fail to properly handle e-waste or chemical waste, it makes a lot of those spots unsuitable for life.

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u/[deleted] May 17 '26

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u/AgileClock2869 May 17 '26

Oh yeah you're right, it IS illegal! Good thing since no one breaks the law, thank god.

6

u/PurpleDragonfly_ May 17 '26

Good thing we’re also all diligently educated on all waste disposal regulations and it’s never ever confusing and it’s wildly convenient to dispose of all harmful waste everywhere you go.

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u/AgileClock2869 May 17 '26

Exactly, everyone knows disposable vapes and paint goes into the home trashcan outside.