New York requires agricultural composters who accept any amount of food scraps from off-site to apply for a permit. In addition to the permit requirement, composters must adhere to specific performance standards including methods of vector and pathogen reduction. Some non-food materials, including animal manure and no more than 3,000 cubic yards of yard trimmings per year, may be conditionally exempt from the permit requirement.… Read More
In 2011, the City of Austin set a goal of a 75% diversion rate for solid waste by 2020 as part of its larger zero waste ambitions. In 2014, the city expanded its Universal Recycling Ordinance to include organics. Austin’s goals are based on a desire to mitigate methane emissions from landfills and promote economic development. In its Resource Recovery Master Plan, the city envisions providing incentives to encourage an economy in which the discards of one business can be the feedstocks of another business. A study prepared in 2008 for the city government by consultants estimated that a diversion economy could generate 1,800 jobs for Austin.… Read More
Wisconsin recently revised its composting regulations; the new rules became effective June 1, 2012. To ensure the quality of finished compost and minimize potential nuisances from materials mismanagement, the revisions require that composters use best management practices to curtail potential pathogens.… Read More
Rhode Island requires most small-scale composters to submit a registration to the state. Certain composting activities such as applying agricultural manures or composting agricultural by-products produced on-site may be conducted without a registration. In order for an agricultural composter to accept paper, yard trimmings, or food scraps from off-site they must receive approval from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.… Read More
In 2014 Rhode Island amended its Refuse Disposal laws to create a food waste ban in landfills and to promote the recycling of food residuals via composting and anaerobic digestion. Other approved methods include on-site composting or diversion for agricultural uses.… Read More
A 2009 waste characterization study of Connecticut’s waste stream found that food scraps are the single most common recyclable material (by weight) of the state’s disposed solid waste. In fact, almost one-third of the state’s annual contribution to landfills is made up of food scraps and other recoverable organics. These numbers prompted Connecticut to enact a recycling mandate for certain organic materials on January 1, 2014.… Read More
With only one active landfill serving the entire state, Vermont is aggressively embarking on a first-of-its-kind, statewide parallel collection program of all mandated recyclable materials, including yard debris and food residuals. By taking a phased-in, all-in approach, by 2020 all of Vermont’s citizens will be required to divert food scraps and other organics from the landfill and all haulers and solid waste management facilities will be required to provide services for these materials.… Read More
Iowa’s regulations encourage on-farm, small-scale food scrap composting. The rules allow composters to accept up to two tons of food scraps from off-site per week without obtaining a solid waste permit. The composters must comply with specific site and operating requirements or their exempt status may be revoked. Facilities composting over two tons of food residuals and yard waste per week in any combination from off premises must obtain a permit and adhere to the solid waste composting requirements stipulated in state rules.… Read More
A nonprofit initiative, Soils for Salmon, came to transform state-level stormwater policy in the early 2000s. By advocating for the incorporation of compost use in land development practices, the program has helped Washington state to realize the many benefits of compost amended soil. The program specifically targets/drives landscapers, builders, developers, and citizens to use low impact development practices, which reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, while limiting water usage demands. … Read More