Chapter 481
2016 -- S 2178 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/15/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REFUSE DISPOSAL

Introduced By: Senators Goldin, Ruggerio, Goodwin, Felag, and Sosnowski
Date Introduced: January 27, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 23-18.9-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-18.9 entitled "Refuse
Disposal" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     23-18.9-17. Food waste ban. -- (a) On and after January 1, 2016, each covered entity and
each covered educational institution shall ensure that the organic-waste materials that are
generated by the covered entity or at the covered educational facility are recycled at an
authorized, composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility or by another authorized recycling
method if:
      (1) The covered entity or covered educational facility generates not less than one
hundred four (104) tons per year of organic-waste material; and
      (2) The covered entity or covered educational facility is located not more than fifteen
(15) miles from an authorized composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility with available
capacity to accept such material.
      (b) On and after January 1, 2018, each covered educational institution shall ensure that
the organic-waste materials that are generated at the covered educational facility are recycled at
an authorized, composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility or by another authorized
recycling method if:
     (1) The covered educational facility generates not less than fifty-two (52) tons per year of
organic-waste material; and
     (2) The covered entity or covered educational facility is located not more than fifteen (15)
miles from an authorized, composting facility or anaerobic digestion facility with available
capacity to accept such material.
     (c)(b) A covered entity or covered educational institution may petition the department for
a waiver of the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if The director shall grant a waiver
of the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) upon a showing that the tipping fee charged by the
Rhode Island resource recovery corporation for non-contract commercial sector waste is less than
the fee charged for organic-waste material by each composting facility or anaerobic digestion
facility located within fifteen (15) miles of the covered entity's location.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004217/SUB A/2
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