A critical need exists for an educational organization whose primary focus is on environmental educational programs which will heighten community awareness of the devastating environmental impacts of organic “waste” landfilling compared to the recycling of those same organic “resources”. For example, toxic leachate from decomposing organic matter placed in our national landfills leak into and contaminate our ground water on a daily basis. These same organics decomposing in landfills produce damaging gasses such as methane and carbon dioxide, (2) two of the major greenhouse gases which are deteriorating our atmosphere, and that scientists say are the main cause of global warming. These harmful, costly, and environmentally detrimental actions continue today due to the community’s lack of sound education, instruction, assistance, and viable options as to how these materials can be properly recovered (diverted from landfills), “composted” recycled, and processed into environmentally restorative, organic based end-products. Sustainable Organic Solutions (SOS) was formed to fill the huge void that exists in providing this essential environmental education and information concerning our actions which are destroying the environment, wasting our vital “resources”, costing us billions as a nation and leaving our children with the terrifying consequences.

SOS’s mission is to provide, implement, and promote an educational based approach that develops a sustainable nationwide infrastructure resulting in the long term diversion, recovery and recycling of large volumes of food residuals and other source separated organics (OSSO).

The Department of Environment & Natural Resources, 1999 stated that food materials discarded into the solid waste stream contribute to odor, methane generation and increase Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels in landfill leachate. In 2002 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that organic wastes placed in landfills decomposes and generates methane and carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) and acidic leachate which can contaminate ground waters.

SOS's approach targets these types of food residuals for diversion from landfills: food production/distribution, post consumer, and other source separated organic (OSSO) feedstock i.e. [yardwaste, grain wastes, low grade paper, drywall and other construction and demolition (C&D) wastes, manures/beddings, commercially generated wood wastes and organic laden liquids and solids] for recovery, and recycling.

The large scale, readily transferable model of food residuals and other source separated organics (OSSO) recovery and recycling through composting, developed to a sustainable self-perpetuating level is the next logical step for our society/nation to take in reducing the tremendous volumes of food residuals and (OSSO) currently being landfilled and placed into our waste water systems. Developing and sustaining this nationwide organics recycling infrastructure can only be achieved through consistent comprehensive efforts of identifying, soliciting, and primarily EDUCATING SSO generators and existing/potential composting facility owners/operators of "Green" options to substantially expand recycling of Source Separated Organics (SSO). This goal will be accomplished by educating the public and communities as to the environmental and cost benefits of SSO recycling as opposed to continued landfilling and by providing information on “how to” utilize the organic, restorative end-products back into our environment.