Dive Summary:

• More than 20 states have bans on disposing of organic waste in landfills, but states such as Florida and Georgia have repealed bans, and others such as Michigan and Missouri are considering similar moves.
• Other states, such as Delaware and Vermont, have introduced new bands, and a there is an ongoing nationwide debate over the benefits of composting versus methane gas collection and energy conservation systems to make the best use of collected materials.
• Waste Management contends that during Florida's 15-year ban, the state generated an annual 3.4 million tons of yard waste, but was only using 1.5 million tons beneficially.

From the press release:

Organics are a hot waste and recycling commodity. And that popularity has generated a sometimes heated business, political and philosophical debate about their best end-use.

Some argue that composting food and yard waste is the clear environmental choice. “Composting is the highest and best use of these residuals,” says Stu Buckner, former executive director of the Bethesda, Md.-based U.S. Composting Council and now CEO of Buckner Environmental Associates in East Islip, N.Y. ...