SPRINGFIELD – In a landmark effort to tackle food waste and reduce methane emissions, State Senator Adriane Johnson outlined two measures at a press conference Wednesday that are part of Illinois first statewide framework for food scrap management and sustainable composting.

“By diverting edible food to feed people and food waste from landfills and into composting, we help build Illinois’ circular economy,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “Creating an infrastructure for enhanced food recovery and food waste diversion, and opening markets for compost makes sense for everyone.”

Senate Bill 1398 would create a food scrap diversion hierarchy, ensuring food is first directed toward human consumption, followed by animal feed, industrial use, composting and anaerobic digestion —all to minimize landfill waste. The bill would set a gradual implementation process and outlines compliance requirements for entities managing food scraps.

Methane, a greenhouse gas, is 80 times more potent that carbon dioxide over a 20-year period and is largely generated by landfill waste. Food scraps account for 24% of landfill waste but generate 50% of methane emissions.

To support this initiative, Senate Bill 1397 would establish a grant program and a research partnership with the University of Illinois to study and expand the use of compost and digestate, further promoting a circular economy for food and food waste management in Illinois.

“We have a real methane emission problem in Illinois,” said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “Senator Johnson’s legislation will have us diverting wasted food scraps away from our landfills, which reduces food waste, cuts climate polluting methane gas emissions, and better feeds our communities–a win for everyone.”

Senate Bill 1397 awaits a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee and 1398 await Senate Committee assignment.