Composting Rule Update

Tim Farnan2013 Minnesota Composting Council

Fall Workshop

Why Compost• Composting Reduces Greenhouse Gas

Emissions.– Organic material in landfills creates methane

and leachate.– Finished compost sequesters carbon and

supports healthy plants.• Composting turns waste products into a

valuable product.• Compost is a beneficial soil amendment that

reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides and uses water more efficiently.

• Lots of waste is compostable

How much can be composted?

Large portions of the Waste Stream are Compostable

• 14.1% of waste stream is food scraps

• 13.7% is yard waste• ~9.9*% is non-

recyclable paper (napkins, paper towels, etc)

*per 1999 MPCA Waste Composition Study

Materials Generation in MSW, 2009 243 Million Tons (before recycling) - EPA

Recycling & Organics Goals

• Statute 115A.551 calls for achieving a 50% recycling rate in the metro area and a 35% rate in greater Minnesota

• Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group (MCCAG) in 2008 recommended a statewide goal of 60 percent recycling and 15 percent organics recycling by 2025.

• Metro Policy Plan calls for organics recovery of 9%-15% by 2030

Metro Area Recovery Goals 2010-2030

2008

How are we doing currently?

• 45.1% statewide recycling rate in 2011– Recycling calculation includes

249,948 tons of organics recovered

• 4.4% of MSW in MN was recovered through organics recycling in 2011

• Organics recycling includes: food to people, food to livestock, composting

Landfill; 32%

Waste to Energy; 20%

Recycling (in-cluding organ-

ics); 45%

PMNR; 2% MSW Composting, 0.2% Onsite Disposal; 1%

Purpose of Rule Process• Recognize state strategy of

moving organic material management up the hierarchy

• Clarify regulatory requirementsappropriate to SSOM composting facilities

• Provide regulatory relief withoutjeopardizing environmental protection

Current Rule Structure

Backyard

MSW Compost Yard Waste

Exempt Permit By Rule Solid Waste Permit

New Rule Structure

Backyard

MSW Compost

Yard Waste

Source Separated Organics

New Category

• SSO sites will also require a solid waste permit• Definition of Backyard Compost Expanding• No changes to Yard Waste or MSW

Goals & Considerations• Source Separated Organic

Material (SSOM) must be source separated at the generator, not picked from Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MMSW) at a transfer station or a landfill

• Goal is not to develop excessively prescriptive standards, but outcome-based ones that are matched to the needs and any environmental or health risk

Process for stakeholder input

How about contact water instead of leachate?

• Three meetings were held to gather stakeholder input: November 2010, October 2011 and February 2012.

• Two informal requests for comments were sought: July of 2010, October of 2011.

• Accepted and considered email comments to rule team members throughout process.

• A formal public comment period will take place after the publication of the proposed rule and statement of need and reasonableness has been released (Anticipated in December 2013)

Issues under consideration

• Depth to water table• Pad requirements• Best Practices/ operational

requirements• Training• Testing and monitoring

requirements• Small Sites (<80 cubic yards)• Feedstocks

Rule Schedule

Critical Dates:

• State Register Public Notice – December 2013

• Estimated Completion – ~3 months after dual

notice without contested hearing

– ~ 6 months after dual notice with contested hearing

Dual Notice• Scheduled for December 2013• Open for minimum of 30 days• Comments must be provided in

writing to MPCA before the closing date.

• Substantive changes after dual notice require approval from Administrative Law Judge

Stay Informed

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Carver County Research Grant

• Evaluate the impact of composting operations on storm water & groundwater

• Will provide further data to ensure appropriate protective measures are in place.

QuestionsQuestions?Technical questions in the following areas should be routed to:• Rule content — Technical expert on

engineering — Tony Bello, 651-757-2219, Anthony.Bello@state.mn.us

• Rule content — Subject matter expert on operations – Tim Farnan, 651-757-2348, timothy.farnan@state.mn.us

• Rule process questions — Yolanda Letnes, 651-757-2527, yolanda.letnes@state.mn.us