Chapter 498

2016 -- H 8348 Enacted 07/15/2016

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REFUSE DISPOSAL

Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Ruggiero, Tanzi, Bennett, and Handy

Date Introduced: June 15, 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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LC006139

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