The state of Washington has comprehensive composting regulations to facilitate composting. The regulations conditionally exempt several types of composting facilities – including those that process limited amounts of food scraps – from the requirement to obtain a permit. Indeed, the Washington Department of Ecology recognizes the many benefits of using compost to bolster soil health, and much of the most common agricultural composting is exempt from facility permitting.
Previous state regulations went into effect on February 10, 2003; however, the solid waste rules were revised in 2013 to include exemptions that reflect the state’s commitment to more efficient composting options, and a new section addressing solid waste permitting for anaerobic digesters. In 2018, the rules were further revised to clarify and refine their applicability to on-farm compost use.
Composting Facility Permit Exemptions
The state of Washington updated the 2003 language of its solid waste handling regulations in 2013, removing the former hierarchy of feedstock types, with the state instead describing organic materials as pre- and post-consumer wastes, comprised of either food, animal, or vegetative-based sources. Permitting exemptions are based on the specific site’s feedstock materials, volume of materials on-site, and whether the finished materials are used on-site or distributed off-site.
To qualify for an exemption to obtaining a solid waste handling permit, an operation must meet conditions stipulated in Table 220-A of WAC 173-350-220. An abbreviated version of Table 220-A is shown below.
Performance Standards
Regardless of exemption from obtaining a permit, all compost facilities in the state of Washington must adhere to specific performance standards, which are designed to prevent public nuisance and negative environmental or public health consequences. These performance and site requirements seek to prevent the handling of wastes in a manner that could pose hazards to water and air quality if organic materials were mismanaged. Found in WAC 173-350-040, they are:
Performance Standards.
The owner or operator of all solid waste facilities subject to this chapter shall:
(1) Design, construct, operate, and close all facilities in a manner that does not pose a threat to human health or the environment;
(2) Comply with chapter 90.48 RCW, Water pollution control and implementing regulations, including chapter 173-200 WAC, Water quality standards for groundwaters of the state of Washington;
(3) Conform to the approved local comprehensive solid waste management plan prepared in accordance with chapter 70.95 RCW, Solid waste management—Reduction and recycling, and/or the local hazardous waste management plan prepared in accordance with chapter 70.105 RCW, Hazardous waste management;
(4) Not cause any violation of emission standards or ambient air quality standards at the property boundary of any facility and comply with chapter 70.94 RCW, Washington Clean Air Act; and
(5) Comply with all other applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
More Information
- Washington Administrative Code, Title 173, Section 350-40 – Solid Waste Facility Performance Standards
- Washington Administrative Code, Title 173, Section 350-100 – Solid Waste Definitions
- Washington Administrative Code, Title 173, Section 350-220 – Composting Facilities
- Washington Department of Ecology – Organic Materials Management
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Original post from July 30, 2012
Updated July 28, 2021