Law Aims to Increase Composting in Illinois

A measure that would increase the use of compost in Illinois was recently signed into law. The law aims to increase the use of compost by incorporating composted soil in state-funded landscaping projects.

The law also requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to conduct two pilot projects using compost.

According to the state’s Environmental Council, the composting industry in Illinois handles more than 500,000 tons of leaves, grass and brush each year, a result of legislation enacted in 1990 banning such material from landfills.

Chicago Tonight has more:

Your next banana peel could wind up on the side of the road – in the form of composted soil.

A new law aims to increase the use of compost in Illinois by incorporating composted soil into state-funded landscaping projects.

Under the new measure, introduced by state Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, and signed into law Monday by Gov. Bruce Rauner, state agencies must request a bid for compost as part of any landscaping project that uses off-site soil. Agencies must use compost in the project if the bid is equal to or less than using soil alone.

Read the full article here.