Compost

Healthy soil is an important and valuable resource for numerous Minnesota landscapes, including those in our agricultural and horticultural industries. Compost, a humus-like product derived from the aerobic decomposition of organic materials, is a soil amendment that is regulated in part, by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Compost has many desirable benefits for soil as it can improve the soil structure, improve the habitat for beneficial soil organisms thereby restoring soil fertility, conserve water, and reduce erosion.

The photos below show a few steps in the commercial compost processing.

The MPCA has regulated the composting of community yard waste and solid waste materials since 1988. The Minnesota Legislature mandated the statewide source separation of yard waste in 1992 and banned it from being landfilled or incinerated. As a result, over 100 yard waste compost sites have been established.

Compost rules and regulations

The MPCA Yard Waste Compost Permit Program requires applicants to:

1. Complete and submit the permit-by rule (PBR) permit application form below.
2. Operate in compliance with the yard waste rules in Minn. Rules 7035.2836.
3. Complete and submit an annual report below.
   • Yard waste compost facility annual report (PDF Version) (w-sw7-01)
   • Yard waste compost facility permit-by-rule notification (PDF Version) (w-sw3-30)

The MPCA does not regulate backyard composting. Learn how you can Start composting in your backyard.

• Municipal Solid Waste Compost Permit Application Checklist
• Solid Waste Compost Facility Annual Report Form
• Minnesota State Compost Rules

In addition to the MPCA, other Minnesota state agencies have rules concerning composting:

1. Minnesota Board of Animal Health regulates composting of farm animal mortalities. See Minn. Rules 1719.4000
   
   
2. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has specifications for the quality and use of compost for its turf establishment projects. See MnDOT Standard and Specification for Construction, specification 3890.
   
   
3. Minnesota Department of Agriculture regulates the labeling and fees of compost sold as fertilizer. See Minn. Rules 1510.0430 - 1510.0434

Permit-by-rule yard waste compost sites

The current list of PBR yard waste compost sites are listed at the following link below. Individual counties can provide the dates and operating hours of each site.

• List of PBR sites (w-sw6-02)

Other compost sites

Increasing numbers of communities are testing or implementing programs to divert the entire organic waste stream, not just yard waste for composting. The MPCA has permitted the following solid waste/food waste facilities listed below:

1. Prairieland Solid Waste Management: 801 E. 5 th St. N., Truman, MN 56088.
2. Swift County Compost/ Recycling Facility: Benson, MN 56215, Scott Collins 320-843-2356
3. Empire Processing Facility: 16454 Blaine Ave., Rosemount, MN 55068, Kevin Tritz, 952-946-6999.
4. Creekside Organic Material Processing: 111 Hassan St. SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350.
5. WLSSD Source Separated Compost Facility: 2626 Courtland St., Duluth, MN 55806, Kurt Soderberg 218-722-3336.
6. Dodge County Transfer and MSW Compost Facility: 22 6th Street E, Mantorville, MN 55955.

Publications

• Aspergillus Fungus Spores from Yard Waste Compost Facilities
• Yard Waste Compost Facilities — Inert Material Testing
• Yard Waste Compost Facility Siting and Management Considerations
  Other waste-related publications

Related links

• Start composting in your backyard
• Metro county organic collection and compost programs reports

More information

For more information about composting community yard waste and solid waste material, contact:

• Lisa Mojsiej, 651-757-2373 (yard waste permits)
• Anthony Bello, 651-757-2219 (solid waste permitting)
• Ginny Black, 651-757-2233 (general compost information/markets)