Illinois Food Scrap Composting David E. Smith IL DCEO – Recycling Webinar: June 20, 2012 Green Universities and Colleges Subcommittee Webinar

“SCRAP” vs. “WASTE” “Integrated Waste Management” “Solid Waste Management” “Yard Waste” Illinois’ Solid Waste Management Hierarchy: – Source/Waste Reduction – Recycling (Where is Compost? Not referenced.) – Incineration for Energy Recovery – Incineration for Volume Reduction – Landfilling

When Did Scraps become Waste? (WW II Era Poster)

Composting in IL - A Very Brief History July 1, 1990 – “Yard Waste*” Banned from IL Landfills (*Grass, Leaves, Shrub/Tree Trimmings, etc.) Late 1980s to Early 1990s – Growth of Permitted Landscaping Facilities in Illinois’; DCEO invested about $7 Million in projects. February 23, 2005 – Composting Roundtable convened by Lt. Gov.. Quinn at urging of SCARCE. Focus topic was on ways to relax regulations.

A Brief History Continued The 2009 DCEO Commissioned study, the Illinois Commodity/Waste Generation and Characterization Study, reveals that food scraps are the single largest material category of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfilled in Illinois. In fact, food scraps, generated from such diverse sources as households, grocery stores, restaurants, college dinning facilities, and food packaging operations accounted for 12% of all MSW landfilled in Illinois.

A Brief History Continued In 2009 Governor Quinn signs two laws designed to stimulate greater composting efforts in Illinois. – Public Act (SB 99) relaxed how food scrap composting facilities are regulated. Biggest change is that they are no longer treated automatically as a “Pollution Control Facility.” – Pub Act (SB 1932) requires that all State agencies use, to the maximum extent feasible, finished compost materials in all land maintenance activities paid for with public funds.

DCEO’s Food Scrap Program In 2009 DCEO develops and implements the Food Scrap Composting Revitalization and Advancement Program (F-SCRAP). F-SCRAP is designed to assist entities with the acquisition of equipment or to make project necessary site improvements. Collection or processing projects must increase the volume of food scrap material being composted in Illinois. The program can also support costs for equipment related to marketing compost.

F-SCRAP PROGRAM Eligible applicants: local governments, private businesses, not-for-profits, and colleges and universities. Categories: Collection and/or Processor Eligible Compost Methods: – Larger scale vermi-composting – In-vessel composting – Windrow compost – No wash it down the drain projects

FSCRAP PROGRAM – FY2013 DCEO hopes to open another competitive grant cycle later this year. Time horizon - selected grantees to commence Spring/Summer DCEO may award grants up to $200,000 for any one project. DCEO can negotiate actual award $. Applicants must provide a minimum cash match of 25% of the total project cost. No in-kind matches are allowed. Grants are usually structured to be paid on a 90%/10% basis. Final 10% distributed upon successful completion of the grant-year of data.

FSCRAP PROGRAM FY2013 Eligible expenditures include: – Collection containers / vehicles – Food scrap pulpers; digesters – In-vessel composting equipment – Windrow development and turning equipment – Tub grinders and screening equipment – Finished compost packaging equipment – Project necessary site improvements, including permanent moisture control structures

Food Scrap Project Examples

Collection Containers Cart Tipper

Food Scrap Project Examples Collection ContainersCollection Vehicles

Food Scrap Project Examples Compost Pad (Site Improve) Open Structure to Control Moisture

Food Scrap Project Examples Windrow Turner Loader and Shredder

Food Scrap Project Examples Compost Bagging Equipment Conveyor for Loading Large Volumes of Finished Compost

FSCRAP PROGRAM Ineligible expenditures include: – Purchase/rental of real property – Personnel expenses – Travel expenses – Normal operating/administrative expenses – Feasibility studies or other planning and/or permitting efforts

FSCRAP PROGRAM Projects must result in finished compost being created. Again, no “wash it down the drain” projects. DCEO will not fund “Pilot” projects. The program will not consider funding any equipment related to Waste-to-Energy aspects of a project (e.g., turbine). “Backyard” Composting Projects are ineligible.

FSCRAP PROGRAM Projects must increase the composting of organic material, of which food scrap feedstock generated and collected in Illinois is the majority component (i.e., at least 51%) Applicants must certify that the project will comply with all applicable state, federal and local environmental and zoning laws, ordinances and regulations.

FSCRAP PROGRAM Applicants must fully discuss and document the status of any necessary regulatory requirements, including permits. This includes any local and/or state permits or other regulatory requirements. Any and all permits needed must be applied for before seeking a grant. FSCRAP candidates must include copies of submitted permit applications.

FSCRAP PROGRAM - Permits Does your project require an Illinois EPA permit? – If there is any doubt, please check with the Illinois EPA and your local solid waste officials. IL EPA Contact: Derek Rompot, Must the applied for permit(s) be issued before I can apply? No, but again, you must have formally submitted for the permit(s). Receipt of the permit(s) will be required to received any funding if selected for a grant.

FSCRAP PROGRAM – FY2013 How Much Money is Available? Funding for all our programs has been dramatically reduced this year. The good news is that we anticipate opening another grant cycle later this year, but the total funding available is likely to be in the range of $750,000 All sizes of projects will be considered, but please only ask for what is needed.

FSCRAP PROGRAM – FY2013 Can DCEO answer questions about the grant requirements? YES, but please read the RFA before you contact me. It helps when you can reference a page or section number when you ask questions. Can DCEO review a draft application? We can provide verbal consultations concerning specific project elements; however, I cannot perform comprehensive draft reviews.

Food Scrap Trends Source of Food Scraps are still generally plentiful. Opportunities to Divert Food Scraps for Composting are increasing. Food Scrap diversion must be carefully planned to be effective. It is not “garbage.”

US Composting Council – Annual Poster Contest International Compost Awareness Week – 1 st Week of May cil.org/posters/ cil.org/posters/

Other Resources IL EPA Twenty-Third Annual Landfill Capacity Report nd/landfill- capacity/2009/index.html nd/landfill- capacity/2009/index.html Lists all permitted compost sites in IL. Illinois Green Economy Network (for State supported Community Colleges Only) Wynne Coplea Director of College Partnerships (309)

Is Food Scrap Generated Compost Beneficial?

DCEO’s FSCRAP PROGRAM If you have questions, or wish to notified when the next grant cycle opens contact: David E. Smith Phone Fax: Web site: