Though recycling and composting are two of the most important green practices, there are some items that are bad for the environment. Follow these guidelines for best practices.

America is certainly the land of plenty. This country has been blessed with an overabundance of natural resources and some of the world’s most fertile agricultural land. However, every year millions of tons of food is wasted. According to a new study published in the journal, Environmental Science & Technology, the amount of food wasted in the US each year is equivalent to wasting approximately 350 million barrels of oil.

NC State University has launched composting in all campus dining hall facilities. The initiative will help the university reach the goal of diverting 65% of its waste from the landfill by 2015.

Could more of us across North America find a fourth can in our trash can lineup?  Many municipalities provide the recycling bin, green waste bin, and of course, that black bin for everything else.  Not many include a bin for food waste, so most Americans still do not compost–well, you may be throwing your apple cores in that green waste bin, but composting it is the way to go.  Although estimates suggest composting has been growing at the rate of 15% to 25% annually, only about 2% to 3% of food waste is diverted from landfills each year.

Most composting facilities accept compostable packaging and products, but many also say a consistent method for labeling and identifying compostable items is needed, according to a survey.

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition, responding to concerns from its members about composters possibly rejecting compostable packaging, surveyed 40 composting facilities across the United States about their current practices, opinions and problems they’ve encountered.

Local pigs are now getting fat eating food scraps from the University Campus kitchens thanks to a new composting program that began in April in cooperation with Tyde Brook Farm in Holden.

“Zero Waste” Commencement events, similar to the zero waste New Student Orientation in August, will help Emory end the 2009-10 academic year as it started. The composting of food and biodegradable service ware and recycling of plastic water bottles will occur at multiple Commencement events this month, including the Lullwater Open House Tour, Senior Dessert Reception, Baccalaureate Brunch and school graduation ceremonies, among others.

Further information about the program can be found here: Solid & Hazardous Waste Education Center News » Midwest Extension Compost School (http://fyi.uwex.edu/shwec/midwest-compost-school/) The website
includes the program’s agenda, online registration and local lodging information. The three day program cost $375 if registered before April 30th, the fee will increase to $425 after that date.  Class size is limited so be sure to register early.

A cool new design concept marries composting with clean energy:  garbage-powered street lamps.  The Gaon Street Light from designer Haneum Lee keeps food waste out of landfills while keeping streets illuminated.