Alternatives to Rendering home
For an overview of the subject, please refer to the summary document, Alternatives to Rendering for Meat Processors.
Composting feedstocks in Colorado are classified into three types: Type 1, comprising generally farm and yard wastes, Type 2, including animal and food wastes, and Type 3, covering mainly biological sludges from waste treatment processes. Meat processing wastes would fall into Type 2.
Compost facilities, in turn, fall into four classes, depending primarily on the types of feedstocks they accept. Class I facilities can accept any feedstock type, Class II can accept feedstock types 1 and 2 only, and Class III can accept type 1 only. Class IV refers to vermicomposting (worm) operations, landscaping operations, or certain institutions, and are limited to two acres and less than 5,000 cubic yards of material on site. Composting facilities for meat processing wastes would under most circumstances fall under Class II.
A Class II facility requires a permit, called a Certificate of Designation. One of the requirements in obtaining a permit is to submit a Design and Operating Plan. Details on what must be included in the plan are listed in the regulations. The required information includes:
In Colorado, certificates are issued by local governing bodies. The state's role is to perform a technical review of a facility's permit application, and to provide a recommendation. Financial assurance is also required to cover closure and post-closure requirements, and to take any corrective action that may be necessary.
The regulations lay out specific requirements for all classes of composting facilities. For example, all facilities must provide for control of runoff, nuisances like dust and odors, and access. However, the regulations do not prescribe how these requirements are to be met. Presumably the Design and Operating Plan will spell out how the facility owner intends to comply with the requirements. In addition, all Class I, II, and III facilities are required to keep specified records, and to submit an annual report by May 1 of each year, containing information on the amount of material processed, and the amount of finished material moved off site.
Colorado requires that finished compost must be sampled according to a designated procedure before it can be sold or used off site. The main concerns are the presence of toxic metals, and of disease-causing bacteria. The regulations list maximum levels for each of eight inorganic contaminants, and two common bacteria types.
Finally, each facility must submit a closure plan, and provide for post-closure care and maintenance. The post-closure period includes at least five years of groundwater and surface water sampling and maintenance of cover vegetation.
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