States like Vermont, Maine, and Ohio already had relatively robust composting programs as of 2019, the EPA data shows. Some low-ranked states, like Virginia, received federal dollars in recent years to increase composting capacity. Many states lacked data for the EPA composting report. In some sectors and regions, this data simply hasn't been collected historically, while in others, data updates are few and far between.

The more recent BioCycle study found that about 50% of U.S. full-scale food waste composting facilities were located in seven states: California, New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington, Texas, and North Carolina. Residential collection services were most prevalent in the West and Northeast, though some were available in states interspersed throughout other regions. The highest volume of programs was found in California, Illinois, New York, and Minnesota. This limited coverage implies a vast population of would-be composters and many opportunities for new private and municipal services.

With access to continued public investments, savings opportunities, and awareness of the environmental impact, states across the country are expanding composting infrastructure. In 2015, the EPA and USDA planned to cut food loss and waste in half by 2030—reducing waste from 328 pounds per person per year to 164 pounds. By 2019, the country had achieved a 6% increase from the original baseline, meaning there's substantially more composting work to come.

Considering this increase, there are evermore opportunities for individuals to learn about composting in their communities and for prospective or existing businesses to fill the growing demand for composting services across the country.

This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 27 states and Washington D.C.