DEM seeks comments on composting rules

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Waste Management said last week it is seeking feedback on proposed revisions to state regulations regarding composting facilities.
The draft revisions to Solid Waste Regulation Number 8 were made in response to recent legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee regarding food-residuals recycling. They include changes to the existing sections related to small and medium-scale composting operations and new standards for anaerobic digesters, which are used to decompose organic material.
DEM Director Janet Coit called the changes “business friendly,” adding that they will “simplify and streamline the approval process for smaller composting operations and create a transparent pathway for new businesses interested in setting up anaerobic digestion facilities.”
The proposed revisions to the regulations include a new category for small and medium-scale composting operations that will be able to compost leaf, yard and food-scraps waste at their location.
Recommendations and comments will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Jan. 12 and should be addressed to laurie.grandchamp@dem.ri.gov.
The revisions are available on the DEM website at www.dem.ri.gov/ programs/benviron/waste/pdf/ swreg8draft.pdf. •