Illinois Food Scrap Composting

David E. SmithIL 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 96-418 (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 96-077 (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 2013.

• 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

Food Scrap Project Examples

Collection Containers Cart Tipper

Food Scrap Project Examples

Collection Containers Collection 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 EquipmentConveyor 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, 217-558-2150.

• 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 – 1st Week of May

• http://compostingcouncil.org/posters/

Other Resources• IL EPA Twenty-Third

Annual Landfill Capacity Report - 2009

• http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/landfill-capacity/2009/index.html

• Lists all permitted compost sites in IL.

• Illinois Green Economy Network (for State supported Community Colleges Only)

• Wynne CopleaDirector of College Partnerships wynne.coplea@heartland.edu(309) 268-8137

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. SmithPhone 217-785-2006Fax: 217-785-2618Email: David.E.Smith@illinois.govWeb site: www.illinoisrecycles.com