The state has reduced its methane emissions by 25.7 percent per ton of waste following a law that seeks to eliminate food waste from landfills.
A study published in Science reveals that Massachusetts is the only state where a food waste ban has successfully curbed the amount of food waste that goes to landfills.
As Kristin Toussaint explains in Fast Company, food waste bans seek to cut down on methane emissions caused by organic matter in landfills. However, laws passed in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont haven’t been nearly as effective as the one in Massachusetts, where the state achieved a 13.2 percent reduction in waste and a 25.7 percent decrease in methane emissions per ton of waste.
The researchers identified three reasons for the success of the state’s food waste ban: “a simple law with a small number of exemptions; a robust network of composting infrastructure so it was easy and affordable for businesses to compost rather than trash their food waste; and an enforcement system.”
According to the researchers, “Massachusetts, the researchers found, had more than triple the number of inspections per business that generated food waste than the next closest state, which was Vermont,” the most facilities to process food waste, and a clear law that applies to all businesses that generate more than half a ton of food waste per week.
FULL STORY: Why food waste bans have totally failed—except in Massachusetts
Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars
Landfills are the third-largest source of methane pollution in Colorado, after agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.
House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards
The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
LA’s Trees Absorb More Carbon Than Expected, But Can’t Do It Alone
A USC study finds that Los Angeles’ urban trees absorb more carbon than expected, but while they provide crucial environmental benefits, they cannot replace the urgent need for systemic emissions reductions.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)