Some urban areas are encouraging householders to put food scraps into their green waste bin, which reduces landfill.
But what happens to your food waste once it leaves the curb?
And how can just a few composting facilities handle an entire city’s food scraps?
Cosmos Science journalist Jacinta Bowler travelled to a composting facility north of Adelaide to find out how it all works, and the science behind it.
You might be surprised to know just how bad the contamination problem is, and why it’s cost one company six million dollars and a one-of-a-kind machine to try and fix it.
Check out more Cosmos Science videos: Travelling to the Square Kilometre Array
Originally published by Cosmos as Some cities allow food waste to be put into the green bin – what happens next?
Jacinta Bowler
Jacinta Bowler is a science journalist at Cosmos. They have a undergraduate degree in genetics and journalism from the University of Queensland and have been published in the Best Australian Science Writing 2022.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.