Environmentally-minded states like Washington, Oregon and California maintain active Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) despite Federal changes to environmental policy. LCFS programs assign different fuels carbon intensity scores based on how much greenhouse gas they produce throughout their entire lifecycle. Fuels that have lower scores, including those made from organic waste, earn special credits. Companies can then sell these credits to producers of higher-carbon fuels, which creates financial incentive to divert organic waste from landfills and turn it into useful fuels like renewable natural gas or electricity.

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Food waste generating businesses in these states, and in others where LCFS are being considered, can leverage LSFC credits toward anaerobic digestion projects that will convert their organic waste into low-carbon renewable energy, reducing the massive climate impact of food waste rotting in landfills.

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When organic waste breaks down in landfills, it releases methane, which is a particularly potent greenhouse gas. LCFS programs encourage anaerobic digestion processes that capture this methane before it escapes and convert it into usable fuel instead, directly helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.

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Some Examples:

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San Francisco, CA

A national leader in zero waste policy, San Francisco has prioritized mandatory composting and public education for over a decade (source: SF Environment). As a result of these ongoing efforts, the city boasts an 80% landfill diversion rate, among the highest in the U.S.

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Seattle, WA

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, Seattle enforces strict food waste separation and composting rules to reduce landfill use and protect regional ecosystems (source: Seattle Public Utilities).

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New York City, NY

NYC is taking bold steps to cut methane emissions by making composting mandatory for all residents and businesses, (source: NY Post), not an uncomplicated initiative given the size of the city. The mandatory composting program launched in April 2025 and within the first 10 days of the program recovered 2.5 million pounds of organic waste—a 240% increase over prior year.

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Massachusetts (Statewide)

Massachusetts was one of the first states to implement a commercial food waste ban, focusing on emissions reduction and landfill diversion. (source: Mass.gov). Since the launch of the program in 2014, Massachusetts’ commercial food waste ban has boosted the state’s organics industry—creating hundreds of jobs, adding $77 million to the economy, and generating over $5 million in tax revenue.

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California (Statewide)

California’s organic waste policy is one of the most ambitious in the U.S., aimed at slashing methane emissions (source: NRDC) with the goal of reducing the equivalent of 3 million cars worth of climate pollution through food waste diversion. The state has required organic waste recycling for most businesses and residents since 2022, and 80% of state jurisdictions have residential organic management programs. 

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The Takeaway:

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LCFS programs support the development of a circular economy by encouraging communities to think of organic waste as a valuable resource rather than something to throw away. Forward-thinking cities and businesses don’t need to rely solely on Federal policies. Local governments, state authorities, corporations and investors still have significant power to tackle climate issues and achieve substantial environmental progress.

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