COMPOSTING TODAYA whole new ball game

Chery Sullivan

Team Players

• Producers– Composters

• Consumers– Residential – Commercial

• State Government– Rules– Technical

Assistance

• Local Government– Policy– Rules– Implementation

• Universities– Research

Compost Rules

• WAC 173-350-220– Environmental and human health

– Consistent regulation

– Compost quality

Game changers• Increased pressure for recycling

all organic materials

• “Compostable” plastics

• Decreased demand for compost

New game plan - Contamination

ContaminationWhat we have in rule: – < 1% weight inerts

What we propose:– < 1% weight inerts, not to exceed .1% plastic– Plan to reject loads if there is more than 5% by

volume of any type of contamination or plan to keep contaminated loads separate from clean loads

Odors

OdorsWhat we have in rule:– Nuisance odor plan

What we propose: – Nuisance odor documentation and weather

monitoring– Facility maintenance directly related to odor

management– Progressive odor management planning– Putrescent feedstock management plan

Composted material

Composted materialWhat we have in rule:– Meet the standards

What we propose:– Meet the standards– Distribute off-site

Conditional Exemptions

ExemptionsWhat we have:– 10 exemptions based on feedstock

volume, type, and source, processing methods, and distribution of composted material

What we propose:– Simplify and expand - 4 exemptions

based on feedstock volume, and type

Crossing the finish line

• Informal public comment• CR 102 September 2012– Formal proposal– Public hearings– Public comment

• CR 103 December 2012– Rule adoption

Ready, set…Organics SpecialistChery Sullivan360.407.6915Chery.sullivan@ecy.wa.gov

Solid Waste Rules under developmenthttp://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/rules/rule350.html