In 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that Americans generated 250 million tons of municipal solid waste, MSW1, of which only 87 million tons were recycled or composted (“Municipal solid waste”, 1). This value, however, does not represent the total amount of waste generated by the United States since MSW represents only 2 percent of the total waste generated. As more waste is generated, the space needed to build more landfills becomes an issue. In order to reduce the amount of solid waste produced, the federal government must implement and enforce a new method of waste disposal that emphasizes composting of food waste. To begin with, in the United States, waste is most often sent to a landfill, but unfortunately, once it gets there little sorting takes place. According to the EPA, “Nationwide, food is the most common material sent to landfills. When excess food, scraps, and food scraps are thrown into a landfill, they decompose and become a significant source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas” (“Cupertino Honored”). In a landfill, arriving waste is only screened for liquids to avoid the creation of leachate or water contaminated with chemicals dissolved in the waste. Once filtered, discarded and covered, the bacteria begin to break down the waste and, as a result, release methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The fact is that landfills are ideally meant to be used to bury non-decomposable waste. However, with the waste collection method currently in place in many states, all unsorted waste is sent there. Furthermore, “...traditional waste disposal not only wastes potentially soil-enriching materials, but also accelerates climate change. Decomposition of organic matter... middle of paper ...... Collections, no more recycling. Seattle Times April 11, 2012: n. page. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. January 22, 2014.McKenzie, AD “Recycling: it's rubbish to waste like that. » Global Information Network November 18, 2013: n. page. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. January 24, 2014.Millman, Joel. “Portland brings a new twist to trash pickup.” Wall Street Journal June 27, 2012: n. page. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. January 22, 2014. Scheck, Justin. “Cities are struggling to meet their recycling goals.” Wall Street Journal September 29, 2011: n. page. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. January 30, 2014. United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Cupertino Honored as National Innovation Leader in Food Waste Reduction.” SIRS Government Reporter. Np, December 17, 2013. Web. January 24, 2014. Wheeler, Timothy B. “Maryland Company Aims to Turn Food Waste into Green Business.” » Baltimore Sun November 25, 2012: n. page. Researcher on SIRS issues. Internet. January 24. 2014.