Composting Program
Dennis Degner, Ph.D., P.E. - Section Chief
Solid Waste Permits Section
KDHE promotes composting as an alternative to landfill disposal of organics. These organics can include yard waste, garden waste, food waste, livestock manure and dead animals, source-separated organics, and that portion of the municpal solid waste stream that is organic.
Composting is defined in K.A.R. 28-29-3 as a controlled process of microbial degradation of organic material into a stable, nuisance-free, humus-like product. This term shall not include the following:
Manure storage piles, whether turned to stabilize or not turned; and
Yard waste directly applied to agricultural land
Composting facilities in Kansas require either a registration or permit depending on the size of the facility. K.S.A. 65-3402(y) defines a composting facility as being larger than 1/2 acre in size. Sites under 1/2 acre in composting area are required to register and sites that are 1/2 acre and over in composting area must obtain a permit. Five types of facilities are recognized in Kansas regulations: yard waste, manure, livestock, source-separated organic waste, and municipal solid waste. Each type of facility has its own regulation beginning with K.A.R. 28-29-25a and ending with K.A.R. 28-29-25f.
For more information, contact Arthur Fink at 785-296-2751 or by email afink@kdheks.gov.