(415 ILCS 5/22.34)

Sec. 22.34. Organic waste compost quality standards.

(a) The Agency may develop and make recommendations to the Board concerning (i) performance standards for organic waste compost facilities and (ii) testing procedures and standards for the end-product compost produced by organic waste compost facilities.

The Agency, in cooperation with the Department, shall appoint a Technical Advisory Committee for the purpose of developing these recommendations. Among other things, the Committee shall evaluate environmental and safety considerations, compliance costs, and regulations adopted in other states and countries. The Committee shall have balanced representation and shall include members representing academia, the composting industry, the Department of Agriculture, the landscaping industry, environmental organizations, municipalities, and counties.

Performance standards for organic waste compost facilities may include, but are not limited to:

(1) the management of potential exposures for human disease vectors and odor;

(2) the management of surface water;

(3) contingency planning for handling end-product compost material that does not meet end-product compost standards adopted by the Board;

(4) plans for intended purposes of end-use product; and

(5) a financial assurance plan necessary to restore the site as specified in Agency permit. The financial assurance plan may include, but is not limited to, posting with the Agency a performance bond or other security for the purpose of ensuring site restoration.

(b) No later than one year after the Agency makes recommendations to the Board under subsection (a) of this Section, the Board shall adopt, as applicable:

(1) performance standards for organic waste compost facilities; and

(2) testing procedures and standards for the end-product compost produced by organic waste compost facilities.

The Board shall evaluate the merits of different standards for end-product compost applications.

(c) On-site residential composting that is used solely for the purpose of composting organic waste generated on-site and that will not be offered for off-site sale or use is exempt from any standards promulgated under subsections (a) and (b). Subsection (b)(2) shall not apply to end-product compost used as daily cover or vegetative amendment in the final layer. Subsection (b) applies to any end-product compost offered for sale or use in Illinois.

(d) For the purposes of this Section, "organic waste" means food scrap, landscape waste, wood waste, livestock waste, crop residue, paper waste, or other non-hazardous carbonaceous waste that is collected and processed separately from the rest of the municipal waste stream.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in Board rules, solid waste permits for organic waste composting facilities shall be issued under the Board's Solid Waste rules at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 807. The permits must include, but shall not be limited to, measures designed to reduce pathogens in the compost.

(f) Standards adopted under this Section do not apply to compost operations exempt from permitting under paragraph (1.5) of subsection (q) of Section 21 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-239, eff. 8-9-13.)