Since March 28, 1995, the burning of yard clippings has been banned in municipalities of 7500 or more in population, unless specifically authorized by local ordinance.  The primary method of handling yard clippings since the landfill ban has been composting.  Composting by homeowners is not required, but it is strongly encouraged.  For information about starting backyard composting, contact your local county Cooperative Extension Service or go to the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension site.

Since March 28, 1995, yard clippings have been banned from disposal in Michigan municipal solid waste landfills.  This ban does not apply to diseased or infested yard clippings.   Section 324.11506(7) of Part 115, Solid Waste Management, of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (Act 451) defines yard clippings as follows:

• Leaves,

• Grass clippings,

• Vegetable or other garden debris, 

• Shrubbery, or brush or tree trimmings, less than 4 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter.

Yard clippings do not include stumps:

• Agricultural wastes,

• Animal waste,

• Roots,

• Sewage sludge,

• Garbage

Collection:

There are no regulatory requirements for the collection of yard clippings.  Storage and handling are addressed in the processing section below.

Transportation:

Hauling of yard clippings, does not require a transporter license from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Waste Management Division (WMD).  Trucks that transport yard clippings must be designed to prevent a litter nuisance.  Waste manifests are not required.

Processing:

Composting of yard clippings does not require a permit or license from the DEQ, WMD, if the yard clippings are separated from solid waste, maintained separately until used as compost and managed as a product or resource in a manner that does not create a nuisance.  In addition the compost must be managed in compliance with all other requirements of Part 115 of Act 451, rules 119 (R299.4119) through 121 (R299.4121) of Part 115.

Composting of solid waste or yard clippings mixed with solid waste does not require a license or permit, if prior approval is granted by the WMD, and if 500 cubic yards or less of a material is on site at any time.  If a composting facility exceeds 500 cubic yards it must be licensed as processing facility by the DEQ, WMD.  For more information on composting contact your local DEQ,WMD District Office staff by clicking on the highlighted text for office locations and contact information.

There is a composting operator certification offered by the Michigan Composting Council.  This certification is not mandatory.  Contact the council through the Michigan Recycling Coalition at 517-371-7073 for more information on this certification.

Shredding or chipping of trees, stumps, and brush does not require a license from the DEQ, WMD.  The shredding of clean wood (clean wood means any of the following: trees, branches, bark, wood pallets or other lumber which has not been treated, painted, mixed with glue or fibers, or otherwise contaminated during use) for use in landscaping or burning as fuel in an Air Quality Division (AQD) permitted facility does not require a license or permit from WMD.

The shredding of wood for use as fuel at an AQD permitted facility or for landscaping purposes must be done as to prevent a fugitive dust nuisance from the operation.  For more information on this subject contact the DEQ, AQD District Office in your area.  The dyeing of wood to be used for landscaping purposes does not require a license or permit from the DEQ.  The dye used should be a non-toxic type to avoid any negative impact to the environment.

Recently the DEQ has granted approval for the composting of fish waste.  See the Fish Waste Exemption. This exemption describes disposal options and includes a description of the requirements for the composting of fish waste.  This material in liquid form must be transported as liquid industrial waste as required under Part 121, Liquid Industrial Waste of Act 451.  To transport this type of material a Michigan Liquid Industrial Waste Uniform Program Permit must be obtained from the DEQ, WMD.  To obtain a permit application call 734-432-1256 to request an application packet or download, there are licensing fees.

Compost that is produced from source separated materials (source separated means any material approved by the department that is separated at the source of generation for the purpose of conversion into raw materials or new products) and approved by the Department for land application, may be applied to the land for agricultural and silvicultural purposes without an approved application plan, permit or license from the DEQ.  The application must occur in a manner that prevents losses from runoff and leaching, and if applied to land, the land application shall be at an agronomic rate consistent with generally accepted agricultural and management practices under the right to farm act [Public Act 93 of 1981].  Contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) at 517-335-5849 for more information on land application of compost.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS:

The WMD has developed several operational memos to clarify several areas of solid waste regulations.  Among these is a memo that discusses the Use of Yard Clippings ,Compost as Landfill Cover.   For more information on composting visit the following sites: MDA, or the United States Environmental Protection Agency Composting Site.