With Philadelphia city workers on strike, trash pickup has been suspended — and food waste is piling up fast. If you’re trying to avoid smells, flies, and overflowing bins, composting can help cut down your garbage load while doing something good for the planet.

Employees with AFSCME District Council 33, Philadelphia's largest blue-collar workers union, went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning after union representatives and the city failed to reach a deal.

Striking city workers are joining picket lines outside Philadelphia City Hall, public libraries and other worksites as nearly 10,000 unionized employees walked off the job in search of better pay and benefits.