Maryland considers bill to require study of organics processing infrastructure
By Cole Rosengren, Waste Dive.
Dive Brief:
- A pair of bills have been introduced in Maryland's General Assembly that would require the state's Department of the Environment (MDE) to review the diversion of food and yard waste, including the availability of processing infrastructure, among other measures. The House bill, HB0171, is scheduled to have a hearing in the Environment & Transportation Committee on Feb. 8. The matching Senate bill, SB0099, had a committee hearing on Jan. 24.
- As written, the bill would require MDE to study existing organic waste diversion operations in the state, in consultation with other agencies and industry stakeholders. This would include looking at programs in other states, reviewing waste reduction strategies, considering a refuse fee to fund a grant program and considering processing options ranging from small-scale decentralized composting sites to large-scale facilities.
- If passed, this law would take effect on July 1, 2017. MDE would be expected to present an interim report by July 1, 2018 and a final report with recommendations by July 1, 2019.
Dive Insight:
Based on an executive order from former Governor Martin O'Malley, Maryland has a goal of diverting 60% if its organic waste by 2020. This is part of a larger goal of reaching 85% waste diversion and 80% recycling by 2040, which has been supported by current Governor Larry Hogan. According to a recent report, the state has an estimated 30 years of remaining landfill capacity and its per capita generation rate is higher than the national average. MDE could technically conduct this study at any time — and advised legislative staff that the proposed bill could be implemented using existing resources — but formally requiring it is seen as a necessary step.
"The goal of this current bill is to really shine a light on [the fact] that we still need to get people together to deal with specifically encouraging not only more diversion of yard waste and food residuals, but infrastructure," said Brenda Platt, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR).