Composting Program

Ohio law (Chapter 3734 of the Ohio Revised Code) considers solid waste composting a form of solid waste disposal utilizing controlled biological decomposition. Therefore, composting is regulated by the Ohio EPA-DSIWM Composting Unit. Current rules regarding solid waste composting can be found under Chapter 3745-27 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), specifically Rules 3745-27-40 to 3745-27-47.

The solid waste composting program requires or specifies that a composting facility obtains a registration, license, and/or permit as applicable, according to the classification of the facility. Other requirements established by the program include: what types of wastes can be composted, operational requirements of the facility, and testing requirements for the finished product prior to distribution. Wastes which may be acceptable for composting are categorized as feed stocks types, bulking agents or additives.

The composting rules classify composting facilities according to the wastes that can be accepted and, in some cases, the size of the facility. Solid waste composting facilities are classified in OAC Rule 3745-27-40 as one of the following:

Class I:

These facilities may accept a variety of solid wastes such as mixed solid waste (glass, food, plastics, pesticides, household cleaners, etc.), food waste, yard waste and other industrial wastes. Class I facilities do not have size restrictions. These facilities require a permit, license and financial assurance.

Class II:

This classification may accept only source-separated yard waste, food scraps, animal wastes, specified agricultural wastes, authorized bulking agents and additives, and other alternative materials. Alternative materials (feed stocks, bulking agents and additives) may be utilized in the compost process, if prior approval is obtained from the Director. Class II facilities do not have size limitations. Such facilities require a license, financial assurance and registration.

• Exceptions: If the facility exclusively co-composts sewage sludge with source- separated yard wastes and/or animal wastes and/or bulking agents, it is exempt from the requirements of the solid and infectious waste regulations and solid waste disposal fees, but subject to the requirements of the water pollution control and air pollution control regulations.

Class III:

These types of facilities may accept only source-separated yard waste, animal wastes, specified agricultural wastes, authorized bulking agents and additives. These facilities must be limited to less than fifteen thousand square yards of total area. Class III facilities only require a registration.

Class IV:

These types of facilities may accept only source-separated yard waste, authorized bulking agents, and the following additives: urea and bacteria or fungal inoculum. These facilities do not have size restrictions.  Class IV facilities only require a registration.
 

Note:  As noted in OAC Rule 3745-27-40 (I), alternative materials may be utilized at Class II facilities, with prior approval of the Director.  Such materials include feed stocks, bulking agents and additives, other than those listed.  Previous approvals for feed stocks include paper mill sludge, gypsum paper residual, salad trimmings, coffee grounds, and pre and post consumer food wastes. An approval was also granted for the use of diatomaceous earth as a bulking agent. (All alternative material approvals are site-specific.) Class I and II facilities can also compost dead animals with prior approval from the Director.