Food and green wastes account for a significant portion of municipal
solid waste (MSW). According to US EPA (2006), the MSW
produced in the United States was 251 million wet tons that contain
about 12% (wet basis) food scraps and 13% yard trimmings.
Disposal in landfills is still a common method for management of
these wastes in the United States and many other countries. Due
to their high moisture and organic contents and biodegradability,
the food and green wastes are major contributors to the emissions
of greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds. From the
standpoint of pollution control, green and food wastes are not
hazardous materials but their disposal in landfill poses serious
environmental problems (Thassitou and Arvanitoyannis, 2001).
Diverting organic wastes from the landfill and creating values from
them, such as energy production, is important from the standpoint
of both environmental protection and economic development.