Organic Materials Management Rulemaking
Agency
Ecology, Department of
Title of action
Organic Materials Management Rulemaking
Date significant agency action was initiated
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Category
Significant legislative rules
Brief description of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment.
Ecology is conducting rulemaking to update the solid waste handling standards related to organic materials management under chapter 173-350 WAC. The rule is aimed at reducing contamination in the organic waste going to organic waste handling facilities, such as commercial composting facilities. This rule will allow more facilities to compost food waste and help keep organic materials out of landfills by preventing and removing contamination before it is processed into compost. Ecology is also considering amendments to cover additional organic materials management practices. This rule will have state-wide impacts.
Methods for providing public comment for agency consideration as part of the environmental justice assessment.
Ecology will develop and follow a formal communication plan focused on connecting with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in Washington. The department recognizes that all residents of Washington State, regardless of socio-economic factors, should have a say in the rules and regulations that affect them. Ecology will begin outreach to overburdened communities in Spring 2025 and will host some listening sessions early in the rule development process to better understand how the Organic Management Law, and by extension the rule, may impact overburdened communities. Once Ecology has identified an overburdened community, vulnerable population, and affected Tribes, staff will connect with those community groups to learn how our work affects the experiences of people within those communities.
Link to agency webpage where the action is posted.
Status
