1. COMPOSTING ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS: REGULATORY REVIEW & APPROVAL PROCESS REGULATORS ROUNDTABLE USCC 17 TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE HOUSTON TX JANUARY 27, 2009 Division of Solid & Infectious Waste Management

2. Why Alternative Materials?  Increased interest by generators seeking to reduce waste disposal costs  Compost operators need incoming materials  Attain state’s waste diversion goals  Alternative to a beneficial use regulatory program

3. Ohio’s Current Approvals  Paper mill sludge  Alum sludge  Steel mill sludges  Filter clay sludge  Mixed paper fiber, clay & gypsum solids Paint resin & soil (excavated lagoon)

4. Ohio’s Approach  Composting rules allow certain facilities to request approval  Rule language  Information required for review  Criteria for approval

5. Review Goals  Good understanding of what the material is  Technical feasibility  Operator readiness

6. Understanding Material  Clear description of process that generated waste  Single waste stream or commingled wastes?  Kinds of contaminants expected?  Historical and current analytical test results  Fairly consistent?  Can it meet any applicable compost quality standards?  Is the material compostable/biodegradable?  Physical characteristics (i.e. dusty, sludge-like)  Other?

7. Technical Feasibility  Has it been done before?  Does available literature suggest it might work?  Does the compost methodology makes a difference?  Does it as value to composting process?*  Other? *More on this later!

8. Operator Readiness  Are they fully aware of how to handle this material?  Is the facility adequate for handling the material?  Leachate control  Capacity  Do they have the right equipment?  Do they have enough experience?  Other?

9. Sources of Information  Literature search  Research databases  Outside experts (academia, testing laboratories)  Other operators  Peers (intra & inter agency, other states)

10. Value to composting process  If not clearly a feedstock or bulking agent, what other value does it add?  Fertilizer value (nutrients, micronutrients)  Soil-like minerals? (i.e. anion/cation exchange)  Balances pH  Promote microbial growth or action (i.e. clay)  Make compost more soil-like