2024 Election's Impact on Home Composting: What Changes to Expect | Reencle

Before diving into what might change, let's look at what's happening right now. 

If you live in San Francisco, you're probably already familiar with the green bin next to your trash can – the city has been requiring food waste separation since 2009. Similarly, Vermont residents haven't been allowed to toss food scraps in their regular trash since 2020. These local initiatives show how composting policies can transform daily habits.

The Harris and Trump administrations would likely take notably different approaches to food waste management, building on their previous policy records and current campaign positions.

The Harris Vision: Federal Framework with Local Flexibility

Under a Harris administration, you might see your city rolling out new composting programs with federal support. Take Portland's success story, for example. Their comprehensive composting program, which now serves 58% of residents according to their 2023 Municipal Report, could become a model for other cities.

The approach would likely mirror existing EPA frameworks, where federal guidelines provide structure while cities maintain flexibility in implementation. For instance, you might receive a city-provided composting bin, similar to your recycling bin, but your local government would decide the pickup schedule and specific requirements.

The Trump Vision: State Leadership and Market Solutions

A Trump administration would likely emphasize state and local control, with private sector involvement playing a larger role. Think about how trash collection works in many suburbs today – you choose from several competing service providers. This approach is already working in places like Phoenix, where private composting services have grown by 45% since 2021, according to the Arizona Department of Environmental Services.

Under this model, you might see more app-based services connecting you with local composting options, similar to how many people currently choose their waste management providers.

Let's get practical. How might these different approaches affect your daily life?

In dense urban areas like Chicago or Boston, a Harris administration approach might mean your apartment building gets required composting services, similar to New York's upcoming 2025 mandatory program. Your building manager would work with the city to set up collection points, and you'd separate food waste as routinely as you separate recycling.

Under a Trump administration, you might instead see more private companies offering subscription composting services, giving you the flexibility to opt in or out. Think of it like choosing a meal delivery service – you pick the provider and service level that works for you.

However, the reality isn't as simple as federal versus local control. Both approaches would still have to work within existing state laws and local regulations. California's ambitious SB 1383, which requires organic waste reduction regardless of federal policy, demonstrates how state leadership can drive change independently of Washington.

Whether you're scraping plates in Seattle or composting in Kentucky, the 2024 election's impact on your food waste habits will likely depend more on your local community than on federal policy alone. Both candidates' approaches offer paths toward increased composting access – they just differ in how to get there.

The most significant change might not come from Washington at all, but from growing public awareness about food waste's environmental impact. As more Americans recognize that those breakfast scraps could become garden soil instead of methane-producing landfill waste, both approaches could help facilitate the transition to more sustainable practices.