Rule 3745-560-15 | Composting of dead animals and raw rendering material.
(A) An owner or operator of a class I, class II, or class III composting facility that is composting dead animals or raw rendering material shall comply with the following:
(1) Prior to acceptance of dead animals or raw rendering material:
(a) Designate a person responsible for the day to day operations of the composting facility who has participated in an educational course concerning composting of dead animals and raw rendering material conducted by the Ohio state university extension and who has obtained a certificate of completion for the course. A copy of the certificate shall be made available to Ohio EPA or the approved board of health upon request.
(b) Obtain written concurrence from Ohio EPA upon inspection verifying that the composting facility meets the preparation criteria specified in this chapter.
(2) Dead animals composting. Unless otherwise approved by Ohio EPA or the approved board of health, the owner or operator shall comply with the following when composting dead animals:
(a) Incorporate the dead animals into the composting process upon receipt at the facility.
(b) Document in the log of operations the species of the dead animals accepted and specify the bin where the dead animals were placed.
(c) Conduct the composting in three-sided bins.
(d) Complete the composting of the dead animals in the following stages:
(i) Stage one composting.
(a) The first layer of dead animals shall be placed on top of a bulking agent bottom layer a minimum of eighteen inches thick.
(b) A minimum of six inches of bulking agent shall separate each layer of dead animals.
(c) The last layer of dead animals shall be completely covered with a minimum of twenty-four inches of bulking agent.
(d) A full bin shall remain undisturbed for a minimum of ninety days.
(ii) Stage two composting.
(a) After completion of stage one composting, the contents shall be turned, mixed, or if there is no visible flesh present, moved to a secondary stage bin area and re-covered completely with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent.
(b) The material shall remain undisturbed in the secondary stage for a minimum of sixty days.
(c) If at the end of secondary stage there is still visible flesh or non-brittle bones, the owner or operator shall do the following:
(i) Mix with fresh bulking agent as necessary, cover completely with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent, and maintain undisturbed for a minimum of sixty days. Parts of dead animals shall not be visible.
(ii) Reintroduce the material in a stage one or stage two bin as part of or in addition to the bulking agents.
(e) If a specific bulking agent or mixing ratio does not enable the composting of the dead animals, re-mix the bulking agent.
(f) Document the bulking agents used and the mixing ratio if applicable in the log of operations.
(3) Raw rendering material composting. Unless otherwise approved by Ohio EPA or the approved board of health, the owner or operator shall comply with the following when composting raw rendering material:
(a) Incorporate the raw rendering material into the composting process upon receipt at the facility.
(b) Document in the log of operations the bin where the raw rendering material was placed.
(c) Conduct the composting in three-sided bins.
(d) Complete the composting of the raw rendering material in the following stages:
(i) Stage one composting.
(a) The first layer of raw rendering material shall be placed on top of a bulking agent bottom layer a minimum of twenty-four inches thick.
(b) A minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent shall separate each layer of raw rendering material.
(c) The last layer of raw rendering material shall be completely covered with a minimum of twenty-four inches of bulking agent.
(d) A full bin shall remain undisturbed for a minimum of ninety days.
(ii) Stage two composting.
(a) After completion of stage one composting, the contents shall be turned, mixed, or if there is no visible flesh present, moved to a secondary stage bin area and re-covered completely with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent.
(b) The material shall remain undisturbed in the secondary stage for a minimum of sixty days.
(c) If at the end of secondary stage there is still visible flesh or non-brittle bones, the owner or operator shall do the following:
(i) Mix with fresh bulking agent as necessary, cover completely with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent, and maintain undisturbed for a minimum of sixty days. Parts of the raw rendering material shall not be visible.
(ii) Reintroduce the material in a stage one or stage two bin as part of or in addition to the bulking agents.
(e) If a specific bulking agent or mixing ratio does not enable the composting of the raw rendering material, re-mix the bulking agent in order to achieve an acceptable blend for composting.
(f) Document the bulking agents used and the mixing ratio if applicable in the log of operations.
(4) Compost from dead animals or raw rendering material that does not have visible flesh material or bones shall be utilized on property owned by the owner or operator or tested for distribution in accordance with this chapter.
(5) Request in writing and obtain written concurrence from Ohio EPA or the approved board of health prior to the following:
(a) Utilizing composting systems other than three-sided bins.
(b) Adjusting the thickness of the bulking agent layers.
(c) Adjusting the length of the composting stages.
(d) Adjusting the time frame for incorporation of the dead animals or raw rendering material upon receipt at the facility.
(6) Nuisance. The owner or operator shall conduct operations at the facility in such a manner that dust, odors, and vectors are controlled as to not cause a nuisance.
(a) If odors, dust, or vectors are present, the owner or operator shall apply a cover consisting of a minimum of six inches of biofilter material over the dead animals or raw rendering material not later than twenty-four hours after discovery of the odors, dust, or vectors.
(b) If odors, dust, or vectors persist, then the owner or operator shall upon written notification of Ohio EPA or the approved board of health cease acceptance of dead animals or raw rendering material and dispose of the composting mixture at a licensed solid waste landfill.
(7) Upon written notification that an infectious or contagious animal disease has been reported in the state, the owner or operator shall cease acceptance of the reported dead animals or raw rendering material and dispose of any remaining compost in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, including any applicable provisions of Chapter 941. of the Revised Code.
(B) Compliance with this rule does not relieve any person of obligations under Chapter 941. or 953. of the Revised Code.
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