What regulations exist for organic materials and compost
facilities? Organic material management is regulated (i.e.,
siting, permitting, and management) at the state level, except
for biosolids and animal manures. States have assumed the lead
role in regulating composting facilities. Composting facilities
may need approval from the state before operating. The permit
requirements for composting facilities vary among states.
Examples of topics covered in the permitting process include: a
detailed facility design, operating plans, a description of
incoming materials, the amount and types of residue to be
generated in the plant, monitoring plans, potential
environmental releases, landfills to be used, and potential
markets for the compost. On the federal level, the Standards for
the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge (40 CFR Part 503 under the
Clean Water Act ) was published in the Federal Register (58 FR
9248 to 9404) on February 19, 1993. This act pertains to land
application (and biosolids composting), surface d