# Experts warn food waste programs overlook plastic contamination

Experts say food waste recycling schemes are failing to adequately address plastic contamination, which can undermine compost quality and spread pollutants. They argue this overlooked issue poses risks to both environmental efforts and the safety of compost-based products.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/09/plastics-pollution-food-waste-landfill-recycling-research) — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 05:00:06 GMT