In 2021, The Maryland General Assembly passed
House Bill 264/Senate Bill 483 - Solid Waste Management – Organics Recycling and Waste Diversion – Food Residuals which requires certain persons who generate large quantities of food residuals in Maryland to separate their food residuals from other solid waste and ensure it is diverted from a refuse disposal system. The law takes effect January 1, 2023.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is in the process of implementing this law.
Read more here.
On September 23, 2022, MDE published a regulatory proposal to establish new regulations under Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04.13 Food Residuals - Organics Recycling and Waste Diversion. The proposed regulations implement the new food residuals diversion requirements and establish certain conditions that apply to a person required to divert their food residuals from final disposal. Please visit Proposed Land Regulations to access copies of:
▪ The Notice of Proposed Action published in the Maryland Register summarizing the proposed regulatory changes; and
▪ A Compliance Guide describing how a small business can comply with the new requirements if the proposed regulations are adopted and become effective.
Please visit Land Regulations Public Hearings & Request for Comments webpage for information on how to submit comments.