Compostable materials such as food scraps and yard trimmings make up nearly 30% of all municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. Instead of disposing of this material in landfills and incinerators, composting uses organic material to create a valuable product with environmental and economic benefits, including greenhouse gas emissions reductions and green jobs.
Recycling of some organic materials, such as yard trimmings and manure, is widespread in Maryland. One area of growing interest is food scraps diversion. Though only an estimated 9.6% of food scraps was recycled in Maryland in 2014, much of the remaining material could be prevented, used to feed humans or animals, or composted.
For additional information on Food Scraps Management in Maryland visit the Department's Food Scraps Management web page.
Announcements
House Bill 171 – Department of the Environment – Yard Waste, Food Residuals, and Other Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure – Study
Subject: Public Meeting
Date and Time: Monday, December 3, 2018; 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM 
Future meetings will be canceled and rescheduled if State offices are on liberal leave or are closed. Details on State closings are available on the Department of Budgement and Management's Special Closings of State Buildings, Liberal Leave and Emergency Information web page.
Parking: Study Group attendees will park in the Blue Lot and enter the building through the tunnel (located at the back right corner as entering the blue lot). The Blue Lot is on the left, prior to the railroad tracks if approaching from 95 or traveling north on Washington Blvd. Or on the right, after the Red Lot and the railroad tracks if approaching from Baltimore City or Monroe St.
Call-In: Study Group members ONLY have the ability to call into the meetings. The multi-party conference line accomdates up to 14 people. Study Group members should contact the Department for the call-in number.
Place: Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230
Documents: Documents for the meeting are available in the House Bill (HB) 171 Study Group section, below.
Add’l Info: The Maryland Department of the Environment (the “Department”) has scheduled a meeting of the study group required by House Bill 171 – Department of the Environment – Yard Waste, Food Residuals, and Other Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure – Study. The bill requires the Maryland Department of the Environment (the “Department”), in consultation with certain persons, to study and make recommendations regarding specified matters that relate to the diversion of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials from refuse disposal facilities, including the status of infrastructure in the State. The complete text of the bill is available at http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/Chapters_noln/CH_384_hb0171e.pdf.
Meetings are tentatively scheduled to occur every other month in 2018. If necessary, more frequent meetings will be scheduled. However, it is anticipated that, even if additional meetings are necessary, study group meetings will take place no more than once per month. Future meeting notices will be posted here and on the Department’s Public Meeting Calendar web page.
House Bill (HB) 171 Study Group
HB 171 Interim Report
HB 171 text.
HB 171 Study Points. This April 16, 2018, revised document lists the tentative order for study topics to be addressed by the Study Group.
December 3, 2018, Study Group Meeting
December 3, 2018, HB 171 Agenda
December 3, 2018, HB 171 Topic 10 - Food Waste Recovery Pilot Program in Elkridge/Jessup Region -Peter Ettinger, BTS Bioenergy
December 3, 2018, HB 171 Topic 10 - Recommend a Pilot Program for the Region of Elkridge and Jessup (coming soon)
December 3, 2018, HB 171 Recommendations (coming soon)
September 20, 2018, Study Group Meeting
September 20, 2018, HB 171 Agenda
September 20, 2018, HB 171 Topic 7 - Sanitary and Public Health Concerns - MDE presentation
September 20, 2018, HB 171 Meeting Minutes (Draft)
July 16, 2018, Study Group Meeting
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Agenda
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Topic 2 - Other State Laws (con't) White Paper
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Topic 6 - Incentives Relevant to Organic Materials Diversion White Paper
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Meeting Minutes
May 17, 2018, Study Group Meeting
May 17, 2018, HB 171 Study Group Meeting Agenda
May 17, 2018, HB 171 Topic 8 Anaerobic Digestion Permitting Presentations:
March 19, 2018, Study Group Meeting
March 19, 2018, HB 171 Study Group Meeting Agenda
March 19, 2018, Topics 3 & 5 - Infrastructure; HB 171 White Paper. Review the status of infrastructure for the diversion of organic materials. Figures:
1 - 2016 Permitted Yard Trimmings Composting Facilities,
2 - 2018 Permitted Yard Trimmings Composting Facilities by Region,
3 - Large Food Scraps Generators,
4 - FSCAP Horse Farms and Animal Feeding Operations Farms,
5 - Food Scraps/Manure Composting Facilities and Anaerobic Digestors,
6 - 2018 Food Scraps/Manure Composting Facilities and Anaerobic Digesters by Region,
7 - Food Pantry and Free Meal Sites associated with Maryland Food Bank and Capital Area Food Bank,
8 - Permitted Natural Wood Waste Facilities by Region
March 19, 2018,
Topics 3 & 5 - Infrastructure; HB 171 Recommendations DiscussionMarch 19, 2018 HB 171 Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2018, Study Group Meeting
HB 171 Subgroup Meetings
August 23, 2018, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM; Composting Subgroup
August 24, 2018, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM; Anaerobic Digestion Subgroup
August 28, 2018, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM; Food Donation/Source Reduction Subgroup
Composting Facility Permits
The Maryland Department of the Environment (the Department) has published a final General Composting Facility Permit (GCFP) as provided under Environment Article, §9-1725, Annotated Code of Maryland, and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04.11.11.
The Department's review of submitted comments and a response to these comments are available in the Response to Comments on Draft General Composting Facility Permit March 28, 2016 summary.
Certain water related permits may be applicable to a composting facility. See the Contacts section below, for groundwater and stormwater discharge contact information.
Composting Facilities
As of July 1, 2018, the Department has reviewed 22 applications for composting permits. As a result of the reviews, the Department has issued 17 certificates for coverage under the General Permit, modified 4 landfill refuse disposal permits to include composting, and issued 1 Individual Composting Facility Permit.
Currently, 18 facilities are operating. Out of the 18 facilities, 13 compost yard waste, 3 compost both food and yard waste, 1 composts food waste and manure, and 1 composts hay, straw, and manure.
Composting Facility Regulations Adopted (COMAR 26.04.11)
On June 12, 2015, a Notice of Final Action was published adopting new composting facility regulations effective July 1, 2015. The Final Action adopted the regulations as proposed in December 2014, with several minor nonsubstantive changes. The changes are listed in the Notice of Final Action.
Fact Sheets
Resources
The following are collections of organics diversion resources targeted to various audiences. These resources can help you start an organics diversion program at work, school, or home, or simply learn more about compost and its use. 
Other Information
Legislation and Reports
Contacts