Ban on Yard Trimmings in Landfills

  • Jun 1, 2016
  • Brenda Platt
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  • Policy Topic
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    In addition to implementing yard waste reduction strategies, such as grasscycling, some jurisdictions have banned yard trimmings from landfills. Where such bans exist, public waste management authorities often provide residents the option of curbside collection if the yard debris is “source-separated” from other waste or public drop-off locations. Landfill bans, coupled with publicly provided alternatives and self-reliant sustainable landscape strategies, drastically reduce the total waste stream. Thanks to these efforts, the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management factsheet reported that yard trimmings had a recovery rate of 63% in 2018, or 22.3 million tons composted.

     

    Model Policies

    Massachusetts – Composting Rules

    Massachusetts modified its composting rules in 2012 to “better accommodate the siting of anaerobic digesters and other new technologies.” Revisions to the state’s laws on assigning sites for waste processing facilities (310 CMR 16.00) aimed to increase organic waste diversion into small-scale composting projects while simultaneously increasing the amount of renewable energy produced from anaerobic digestion. … Read More

    Minnesota – Composting Rules

    Minnesota passed a law in 2009 that mandated all yard trimmings generated in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area could not be collected in plastic bags as of January 2010. The intent of the law is to prevent non-biodegradable plastic from entering composting facilities. The compostable bag law was an amendment to the existing yard trimmings diversion law (stipulating that yard trimmings may not be sent to landfills and instead must be composted) that went into effect statewide in 1994.  … Read More

    Pennsylvania – Yard Trimming Disposal Ban

    Pennsylvania, like many other states, has regulations that prohibit yard trimmings in landfills. The state has prohibited yard trimmings in landfills since 1990. However, because the applicability of the law banning green waste from landfills does not extend to grass clippings, Pennsylvania’s ban is less encompassing than other states’ .… Read More

    Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada – Composting Rules

    Markham has taken a comprehensive approach to yard waste reduction by implementing policies that reduce organic waste across the public, private, and residential sectors. .… Read More

    West Virginia – Composting Rules

    Since 1997, it has been “unlawful to deposit yard waste, including grass clippings and leaves, in a solid waste facility in West Virginia.” This government imposed ban has helped establish a constant stream of diverted yard debris. … Read More