Maryland governor allows organics diversion mandate to become law

The policy is set to take effect for large generators in 2023, after years of attempts. Proponents hope it will spur development of new regional composting and anaerobic digestion infrastructure.

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UPDATE: June 1, 2021: Gov. Larry Hogan recently allowed HB 264 to become law without his signature, making Maryland the latest state to pass some form of organics diversion mandate. Hogan made a similar decision on another bill that prohibits homeowners' associations from "unreasonably restricting" on-site composting or contracting with organics haulers.

Maryland could be the latest in a growing number of states to pass such a policy in recent years. Supporters see it as a way to mitigate methane emissions from disposal while encouraging the development of new organics recycling infrastructure.

Efforts to pass this type of policy in Maryland date back to at least 2014, including a 2017 study bill and a 2019 organics disposal law with no enforcement attached. Del. Charkoudian said heightened attention to food insecurity during the pandemic and growing concern about climate change were motivating factors this time. While some were disappointed to see restaurants exempted, Charkoudian said most restaurants aren't large enough to qualify, and the hope is that processing infrastructure will eventually expand to make this more accessible anyway.

This news brief is based on reporting published by Waste Dive on 2021-04-14. The original report is linked below.