South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-107 - Solid Waste Management
Subchapter 61-107.4 - Solid Waste Management: Compost and Mulch Production from Land-clearing Debris, Yard Trimmings and Organic Residuals
Appendix - Appendix: Feedstock Categories
Section A - Feedstock Categories

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs A

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

This Appendix defines categories of common organic feedstocks for composting. The feedstock characteristics of Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio, moisture, pathogen content, source variability, non-compostable contaminants, trace metals, and toxic metals content are considered when assessing appropriate facility design features and quality assurance monitoring necessary to produce beneficial products in an environmentally protective process. The Department will use these characteristics to assign the category and level of risk posed for any feedstock not listed here. Any mixture of feedstocks for composting shall assume the level of risk for the most problematic feedstock in the mixture.

1. Feedstock Category One.

Category One feedstocks have a high Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio and pose limited risk of contamination from pathogens, trace metals, hazardous constituents, or physical contaminants that are not compostable. These feedstocks also have low moisture content. Grass clippings have a lower Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio than other Category One feedstocks, but are included in this category because they are commonly collected with leaf and limb debris. This category includes only:

a. Yard trimmings, leaves, and grass clippings;

b. Land-clearing debris;

c. Wood, woodchips, and sawdust, from untreated and unpainted wood that has not been in direct contact with hazardous constituents;

d. Agricultural crop field residuals;

e. Compostable bags commonly used for collecting and transporting yard trimmings, leaves, and grass clippings; and

f. Similar materials as specifically approved in writing by the Department.

2. Feedstock Category Two.

Category Two feedstocks have a lower Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio than Category One feedstocks, have a high moisture content, and are more likely to contain pathogens, trace metals, or physical contaminants that are not compostable. This category includes only the following source-separated materials:

a. Non-meat food processing wastes, including marine shells and dairy processing wastes;

b. Produce and non-meat food preparation residuals generated by wholesale or retail sales establishments or food service establishments;

c. Plate scrapings including cooked meats generated by food service establishments;

d. Manufactured compostable products and waste paper products that are otherwise unsuitable for recycling;

e. Animal manures and materials incidental to its collection as defined in this regulation;

f. Residual organics from anaerobic digesters or other waste-to-energy conversion processes utilizing only Category One or Category Two feedstocks; and

g. Industrial wastes/sludges that meet the waste characterization requirements found in R.61-107.19, Part IV, Section A for disposal into a Class II Landfill; and

h. Similar materials as specifically approved in writing by the Department.

3. Feedstock Category Three.

This category includes feedstocks that have the most risk from trace metals, source variability, physical contaminants, pathogens, and other properties that may be detrimental to plants, soils, or living organisms in high concentrations. These feedstocks require more intensive analysis and monitoring prior to being incorporated into the active composting area and require approval for composting by the Department on a case-by-case basis. This category includes:

a. Sewage sludge;

b. Industrial sludges, except as specifically identified in Section A.2 of this Appendix;

c. Drinking water treatment sludge;

d. Fats, oils, and greases (FOG);

e. Animal-derived residuals except as specifically identified in Section A.2 of this Appendix;

f. Residual organics from anaerobic digesters or other waste-to-energy conversion processes utilizing Category Three feedstocks;

g. Other industrially produced non-hazardous organic residuals not previously categorized in this Appendix; and

h. Other organic materials not prohibited below, as approved by the Department.

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