Compost_Training_Memo_20210630

ROY COOPER
Governor
JOHN NICHOLSON
Interim Secretary
MICHAEL SCOTT
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
Memorandum
To: Compost Facility Operators, Managers, and Supervisors
From: Ed Mussler, Chief - Solid Waste Section Mwaf-G Mhsf�er
Date: June 30, 2021
Subject: Training Requirements for Solid Waste Compost Facility Operators, Managers, and
Supervisors
North Carolina General Statutes 130A-309.25(c) and the Compost Rules readopted effective
November 1, 2019, specifically, 15A N.C. Administrative Code 13B .1406(19)(a) require that
"Facilities permitted as Large Type 1, Large Type 2, all Type 3, and all Type 4 shall have an operator,
supervisor, or manager trained in accordance with the requirements in G.S. 130A-309.25. No less
than one trained operator, supervisor, or manager meeting the requirements of this Sub -item shall
be onsite during the facility's operating hours or available at a phone number provided in the facility
permit.". "Onsite during the facility's operating hours" includes any time when the compost facility is
receiving waste and operating, whether it is open to the public or only for limited access by facility
staff.
New compost facilities issued a permit after November 1, 2019, will need to meet the training
requirement within 18 months from issuance of permit. Facilities permitted before November 1,
2019, will need to meet the training requirement by November 1, 2022. Three courses have been
approved by the Division of Waste Management as "an approved solid waste management facility
operator training course" as provided in General Statutes 130A-309.25(c) and the Compost Rules:
• Compost Operations Training Course (Compost Research and Education Foundation)
• Managing Composting Programs (Solid Waste Association of North America)
• North Carolina Compost Program Manager (LaBella Associates)
Compost facility operators, managers, or supervisors may satisfy the requirements of G.S. 13A-
309.25(c) and 15A NCAC 13B .1406(19)(a) by successfully completing one of these courses or by
receiving a renewed certification from the training provider. A person who has achieved and
maintained compost operator certification from the US Compost Council Certification Commission is
considered to have met the requirement.
Large Type I compost facilities will not be required to complete training at this time as there is
currently no approved course available specific to those operations.
Other courses may be proposed in the future for meeting core training requirements for compost
facility personnel and will be evaluated by the Solid Waste Section at that time.
D E Q North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Waste Management
217 West Jones Street 1 1646 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1646
NORTH CAROHNA -
oeparonem of environmemai puai� e � 919.707.8200