22. If food is biodegradable, why is it bad to throw out?

While biodegradable food will eventually break down naturally in the environment, the problem arises when it is thrown out in landfills. In landfills, biodegradable food is deprived of oxygen and decomposes anaerobically, producing methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Additionally, the decomposition process releases harmful chemicals and toxins into the soil and water, contaminating the environment. Therefore, it is important to properly compost biodegradable food waste to allow it to break down in a controlled manner and avoid negative environmental impacts.