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Commercial Composting

Aerial view of Ann Arbor's expanded composting operations
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Commercial Composting

Yard clippings are defined as leaves, grass clippings, vegetable or other garden debris, shrubbery, or brush and tree trimmings less than 4 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter.

Facilities managing over 200 cubic yards of yard clippings must become authorized with EGLE.

Authorizations and Annual Reporting

The EGLE Composting Program has switched authorizations and Annual Reporting to an online reporting platform. Registrations and General Permits are due on a 5-year schedule which will be noted within the authorization platform, Re-TRAC. All available surveys must be submitted in a timely manner for compost facilities to operate in compliance.

Annual Reporting is due by November 15th. 

*Annual reports are not officially submitted until ALL available surveys have been submitted as complete*

Quick Links

Composting Regulations

General Permit Template Documents

Materials Utilization Facility Closure Plan (EQP5574)
Composting Facility Training Plan Template (EQP5575)
Composting Facility Odor Management Plan Template (EQP5576)
Composting Facility Fire Management Plan Template (EQP5577)

Online Reporting

Many accounts were already developed in Re-TRAC. If you have previously used Re-TRAC for composting purposes you can continue to use the platform with the same email and password.

If you are a new facility looking to begin composting, please follow the steps below:

1. Create a Re-TRAC account

  • Visit https://connect.re-trac.com and enter your e-mail address that will be used as your login. If possible, it is recommended to use a generic organizational email address that multiple staff can access. Fill out the prompts to create your account.

2. Login to Re-TRAC Connect

  • Once you have an account, login to Re-TRAC Connect using your e-mail and password.

3. Find the EGLE Program you want to join

  • Click "Find Programs" at the top left-hand side of the page. Search "Michigan Authorization Program: Organics" and select "Join Program".
  • Join the Program as a Composting Facility.

4. EGLE will then receive an email that you have requested to join the program.

5. EGLE will accept or deny your request. If accepted, complete all available surveys.

Authorizations, Annual Reporting, and Fees

Compost facilities that have over 500 cubic yards of material on site at any time are required to authorized by EGLE. There are three authorization levels dependent on size and type of material accepted - Notifiers, Registrants, and Permitted facilities.

To determine your authorization level, please complete all available surveys/forms available through the Michigan Authorization Programs in Re-TRAC. All facilities that are required to become authorized must report annually by November 15th.

Facilities that are required to be authorized with a registration or general permit must also provide a site map and an operations plan. A Materials Utilization Facility Operations Plan Template is available for use.

For online payment, please review the Composting Facility Form instructions in Re-TRAC.

For all mail in payments, include the Composting Facility Fee Form and send to the address below.


Standard US Postal Service
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Compost Program
P.O. Box 30657 
Lansing, Michigan 48909-8157

Overnight Delivery 
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Accounting Service Center
425 West Ottawa Street
Lansing, Michigan 48933

Additional Resources

Contact us

Contact our solid waste program staff at EGLE-MMD-SW@Michigan.gov or find solid waste program staff contacts by county