Compostable Materials

Resources

Below are links to resources of use to local enforcement agencies (LEA) related to composting.

2000 Compostable Organic Materials Initiatives: Historical information on the beginning of the compostable materials regulatory process.

Biosolids: Biosolids are the nutrient-rich by-product of wastewater treatment, generated by channeling human waste through treatment plants and collection systems.

• Agricultural Uses of Biosolids and Other Recyclable Municipal Residues (Adobe PDF, 215 KB): A paper by P.D. Millner, L.J. Sikora, D.D. Kaufman and M.E. Simpson
• Bioaerosols and Composting (Adobe PDF, 804 KB): A literature evaluation from Ireland.
• Biosolids Management: A Board web page that includes information on usage, classifications, land application, composting, alternative daily cover, landfilling, incineration and other resources.
• Biosolids Technology Fact Sheet (Adobe PDF, 286 KB): A paper by the U.S. EPA on the use of composting for biosolids management.
• National Academy of Sciences (Adobe PDF, 2.8 MB): A 2002 report by the National Research Council on “Biosolids Applied to Land.”
• National Biosolids Partnership: An informational website on biosolids policy in California and nationwide, including recent court cases and agency rulings.
• Sewage Sludge: A Cornell Waste Management Institute web page.

Food Scrap Composting: Information and resources to help reduce food waste and save money on disposal costs.

Glossary of Terms: Definitions of commonly used compost-related terms.

Guidance:

• LEA Advisories: Provide guidance to LEAs in performing their duties.
  • Advisory No. 6: Aspergillus, Aspergillosis, and Composting Operations in California
  • Advisory No. 39: Issuance of Multiple (Tiered) Permits
  • Advisory No. 58: Methodology for Determining Compliance with the "Three-Part Test" of Transfer/Processing Facilities and Operations Regulations

Links: A list of links to external web sites related to compostable materials.

• California Air Districts: A list of links to regional air pollution control districts and air quality management districts.
• California Counties: A list of links to California county web sites.
• Cornell Composting: This website is maintained by the Cornell Waste Management Institute and provides access to a variety of composting educational materials and programs developed at Cornell University.
• Iowa State University, Continuing Education and Communication Services: Includes an extensive list of publication topics.
• San Francisco Government Composting: Includes links to pages on Basic composting, home composting, worm composting, curbside organics collection, collection for businesses, and principles for resource efficient landscape management.
• San Luis Obispo County Biosolids: San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health bulletins and reports on biosolids.
• State Government links: Links to state government web sites that include information on their composting policies and laws.
• University of Washington Compost Images: A collection of digitized photos of various aspects of composting and compost use.
• US Composting Council: A trade and professional organization promoting compost.
• US Environmental Protection Agency Links: Links to the agency's home page and the home page of each of the agency's regional offices.

News Releases: Use the search mechanism at the bottom of this page to find CalRecycle news releases related to compostable materials.

Permitting:

• Permit Forms: Forms used by LEAs and operators during the solid waste facility permit process.
• Permitting Resources: Information to assist in obtaining approval to operate a compostable material handling operation or facility.
• Permit Tier Placement Chart (available also in MS Word, 23 KB): A matrix summary of facilities and operations for which the Board adopted tiered regulations.

Publications:

• Board Publications: Organics publications available from the Board's online catalog.
• External Publications and Websites: A list of recommended publications and websites on the topic of compostable materials.

Regulations:

• Frequently Asked Questions: Questions from LEAs regarding implementation of compostable materials regulations, with answers provided by the Board.
• Rulemaking Archives for the Revised Compost Regulations: Detail on the rulemaking processing during the development and approval of the 2003 regulations.
• State Water Resources Control Board Regulation of Compost Waste: Provides information regarding the regulation of Compost Waste by State Water Resources Control Board and by Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
• Compostables Statutes and Regulations: Statutory and regulatory citations.

Training: Information on upcoming training and summaries and notes from past training sessions.

Videos:

• State Minimum Standards at Composting Facilities: Several videos of presentations from a training offered by the CIWMB (now CalRecycle) to local enforcement agencies, solid waste facility operators and CIWMB staff during the Summer of 2007.
• Videos: Compost videos available from the CalRecycle's organic materials managememt website.

Water Quality Conditional Waiver for Compost Operations, Issued in San Diego 2007 (see page D-3, Section 8.II.B) (Adobe PDF, 915 KB)

Compostable Materials Home