A new survey conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by the National Waste & Recycling Association finds that most Americans are willing to compost their food waste if it were more convenient to them.
The survey was conducted online among more than 2,000 adults.
Currently very few Americans (nearly 28 percent) compost their food waste. However of the 72 percent who don’t compost the food waste, 67 percent would be willing to do if they find it convenient.
However, the survey also found that 62 percent would not support an increase in the cost of their waste and recycling service, either in the form of a separate fee or an increase in taxes, if necessary to support separate food and yard waste collection and processing.
“Waste and recycling experts agree that increased conversion of organics into either compost or energy sources is an evolving trend in our industry,” said Sharon H. Kneiss, president and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association.
According to Kneiss there are several challenges associated with developing innovative composting technologies. They include the collection and transportation of food waste and the siting of food waste composting facilities more broadly. But a far greater hurdle inhibiting an organics revolution may involve a lack of understanding by the American public about the value of such a change.
As per the survey, more than three-quarters of Americans (77 percent) say that they understand the importance of implementing a separate management process for food/yard organic material waste instead of disposing of it with general household waste.
More than two-thirds of those who do not compost via community programs (68 percent) say they would be willing to manage another bin to separate food waste from recyclables and other trash if their community implemented a program requiring them to do so.
Among Americans who have gardens or a yard, four in five (79 percent) say they would be willing to use gardening fertilizers, mulch and other products made from food waste compost.