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 health district upon request.
(b) Submit a notification to Ohio EPA that includes the proposed amount of dead animals or raw rendering material to be accepted at the composting facility and the duration of acceptance.
(c) Obtain written concurrence from Ohio EPA upon inspection verifying that the composting facility meets the preparation criteria specified in this chapter.
(2) Unless otherwise approved by Ohio EPA or the approved health district, 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) Place the first layer of dead animals on top of a bulking agent bottom layer a minimum of eighteen inches thick.
(b) Separate each layer of dead animals with a minimum of six inches of bulking agent.
(c) Completely cover the last layer of dead animals with a minimum of twenty-four inches of bulking agent.
(d) Ensure that a full bin is undisturbed for a minimum of ninety days.
(ii) Stage two composting.
(a) After completion of stage one composting, turn, mix, or if there is no visible flesh present, move the contents to a secondary stage bin area and re-cover the contents completely with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent.
(b) Ensure that the material is 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, 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 such that parts of dead animals are not 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) Unless otherwise approved by Ohio EPA or the approved health district, 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) Place the first layer of raw rendering material on top of a bulking agent bottom layer a minimum of twenty-four inches thick.
(b) Separate each layer of raw rendering material with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent.
(c) Completely cover the last layer of raw rendering material with a minimum of twenty-four inches of bulking agent.
(d) Ensure that a full bin is undisturbed for a minimum of ninety days.
(ii) Stage two composting.
(a) After completion of stage one composting, turn, mix, or if there is no visible flesh present, move the contents to a secondary stage bin area and re-cover the contents completely with a minimum of twelve inches of bulking agent.
(b) Ensure the material is 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, 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 such that parts of the raw rendering material are not 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) Use compost from dead animals or raw rendering material that has been composted in accordance with paragraph (A)(2) or (A)(3) of this rule and does not have visible flesh material or bones on property owned by the owner or operator of the composting facility or tested for distribution in accordance with this chapter.
(5) Request in writing and obtain written concurrence from Ohio EPA or the approved health district 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) Conduct operations at the facility in such a manner that dust, odors, and vectors are controlled as to not cause a nuisance as follows:
(a) If odors, dust, or vectors are present, or upon written notification from Ohio EPA or the approved health district, 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, upon written notification of Ohio EPA or the approved health district, 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, 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.
Last updated December 1, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Supplemental Information