Section 324.11561 - Characterization of finished compost; use of compost; approval by department(1) A person shall not use compost produced from class 2 compostable material unless the department approves the class 2 compostable material as appropriate for the use under part 115.(2) A person shall not compost solid waste unless the person has filed a petition under R 299.4118a of the MAC and obtained approval from the department. To characterize the finished compost, the petitioner shall include all of the following information in the petition, in addition to the information required in R 299.4118a of the MAC: (a) The type of waste and its potential for creating a nuisance or environmental contamination.(b) The time required for compost to reach maturity, as determined by a reduction of organic matter content during composting. Organic matter content shall be determined by measuring the volatile residues content using a method that is approved by the department or EPA method 160.4, contained in "Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Waste", EPA-600, Revision 8, July 2014, Update V.(c) The foreign matter content of finished compost. The foreign matter content shall be determined as follows: (i) A weighed sample of the finished compost is sifted through a 4.0-millimeter screen.(ii) The foreign matter remaining on the screen is separated and weighed. (iii) The weight of the separated foreign matter is divided by the weight of the finished compost.(iv) The quotient under subparagraph (iii) is multiplied by 100.(d) Particle size, as determined by sieve analysis.(3) The department shall approve a material for use as compostable material if the person who proposes the use demonstrates all of the following:(a) The material has or will be converted to compost under controlled conditions at a class 2 composting facility.(b) The material will not be a source of environmental contamination or cause a nuisance.(c) The end user will be given written instructions on the proper use of the finished compost.Added by 2022, Act 249,s 6, eff. 3/29/2023.