The Impact of Aerobic Composting on Your Business’s Carbon Footprint

As environmental initiatives continue to gain momentum worldwide, more organizations across various industries are beginning to invest more heavily in reducing their carbon footprints. While some businesses focus on improving energy efficiency with solar panels or low-flow faucets, others are looking to sustainable waste management as an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. This is where aerobic composting comes into play.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American businesses create some 66 million tons of food waste annually. Most of this wasted food ends up in landfills across the country, eventually breaking down into methane gas. Because methane gas is a significant contributor to our planet’s greenhouse effect, minimizing food waste through composting contributes directly to a more eco-friendly future.

Take a few moments to explore the benefits of reducing your organization’s carbon footprint with composting, why it’s important, and how EcoRich can help you simplify sustainable waste management.

Benefits of Composting at Your Business

Composting is one of the best ways for businesses to cultivate a greener, healthier world. At the same time, sustainable waste management provides numerous practical advantages that can help companies grow and thrive.

Here are some of the main benefits of investing in composting at your business.

Environmental Impact

Organic materials that end up in landfills are harmful to the environment. In fact, the EPA estimates that annual food waste in the United States alone is equivalent to 170 million tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. By adopting aerobic composting at your business, you can start contributing to the reversal of this trend.

One study found that adopting composting can potentially cut harmful greenhouse emissions by half when compared to simply letting organic matter rot in a landfill. In addition, participating in composting helps to support greener agriculture by providing a nutrient-rich soil amendment for food producers to utilize. Thanks to this full-circle, sustainable cycle, composting revitalizes local ecosystems while promoting organic crop growth throughout your community.

Economic Benefits

Composting can make your building one step closer to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, potentially qualifying your business for a variety of tax credits, fee waivers, grants, and other incentives. Qualifying for LEED certification will also help to increase the desirability and price point of your business's property. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED-certified buildings tend to carry an increased market value of over 21% higher per square foot than their uncertified counterparts.

Meanwhile, businesses that compost see lower waste management costs from month to month, potentially adding up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings per year. Composting can also save money by reducing the need for waste disposal services. When the Seattle Mariners composted more than 85% of the garbage created throughout the 2014 baseball season, Safeco Field saved some $131,000 on waste management expenses alone.

Helps Attract New Talent, Investors, and Customers

Consumers value organizations that make a concerted effort to protect the environment. By investing in composting, you signal to customers, employees, and outside investors that your organization is committed to making a positive difference in the world. According to a survey by IBM, 68% of respondents reported they would likely take on a new job working for a company that prioritizes eco-friendly initiatives.

Given time, investments in sustainability, such as composting, will help you build a strong reputation and ultimately stand out among competitors. Those who are eager to protect the environment will gravitate to your company, allowing you to build meaningful, long-lasting partnerships with individuals who share your vision. This collective mission will work to bring your workforce closer together in a united effort, contributing to lower turnover rates and higher employee morale.

Ensures Regulatory Compliance

Many cities and states have already begun implementing various restrictions on how to handle organic waste. Starting a composting program at your organization will help you stay ahead of the curve regarding environmental regulations.

For example, different types of organic waste bans are already in place in California and New York, while Boulder, Colorado, adopted a Universal Zero Waste Ordinance in 2016. As more states and municipalities adopt composting regulations, organizations with a wealth of experience in reducing waste will have a much easier time complying with new laws as they roll out.

It’s worth mentioning that different cities have developed their own stringent timelines regarding zero waste goals, making it essential for local organizations to begin investing in composting programs. For example, Austin, Texas, intends to recycle, reuse, compost, or donate up to 90% of all solid waste generated by no later than 2040. Meanwhile, Fort Collins, Colorado, hopes to accomplish the same goal by 2025, with up to $9 million allocated specifically for composting efforts.

Composting Made Easy

Composting doesn’t need to be a messy, complicated chore. With the right equipment, your business can begin generating nutrient-rich compost without extensive knowledge or experience. At EcoRich, we provide businesses with both anaerobic and aerobic composting solutions to meet their unique sustainability goals.

Our top-tier composters come in different models and processing capacities to accommodate small, medium, or large-scale businesses. Our aerobic composting solutions include:

• Our Elite II composter shrinks food waste volume by up to 90% after only 24 hours. The system quickly converts the organic material into a high-quality soil amendment.
• Our Rapido Composter offers a low-maintenance, energy-saving solution for converting organic waste into viable compost. This aerobic composting system can handle processing capacities of up to 2,000 pounds, reducing overall food waste by up to half over 14 days.

As environmental initiatives like composting become increasingly commonplace, organizations should devote resources to getting more involved. In addition to contributing to a greener tomorrow, composting can afford businesses numerous opportunities to save money, attract new talent, and build stronger brand recognition well into the future.

To learn more about how EcoRich can help your organization compost like a pro, contact us today to get started.