415 ILCS 5/22.55

(415 ILCS 5/22.55)

Sec. 22.55. Household waste drop-off points.

(a) Findings; purpose and intent.

(1) The General Assembly finds that protection of human health and the environment can be enhanced if certain commonly generated household wastes are managed separately from the general household waste stream.

(2) The purpose of this Section is to provide, to the extent allowed under federal law, a method for managing certain types of household waste separately from the general household waste stream.

(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section:

"Compostable waste" means household waste that is source-separated food scrap, household waste that is source-separated landscape waste, or a mixture of both.

"Controlled substance" means a controlled substance as defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

"Household waste" means waste generated from a single residence or multiple residences.

"Household waste drop-off point" means the portion of a site or facility used solely for the receipt and temporary storage of household waste.

"One-day compostable waste collection event" means a household waste drop-off point approved by a county or municipality under subsection (d-5) of this Section.

"One-day household waste collection event" means a household waste drop-off point approved by the Agency under subsection (d) of this Section.

"Permanent compostable waste collection point" means a household waste drop-off point approved by a county or municipality under subsection (d-6) of this Section.

"Personal care product" means an item other than a pharmaceutical product that is consumed or applied by an individual for personal health, hygiene, or cosmetic reasons. Personal care products include, but are not limited to, items used in bathing, dressing, or grooming.

"Pharmaceutical product" means medicine or a product containing medicine. A pharmaceutical product may be sold by prescription or over the counter. "Pharmaceutical product" does not include medicine that contains a radioactive component or a product that contains a radioactive component.

"Recycling coordinator" means the person designated by each county waste management plan to administer the county recycling program, as set forth in the Solid Waste Management Act.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Agency rules, the following requirements apply to each household waste drop-off point, other than a one-day household waste collection event, one-day compostable waste collection event, or permanent compostable waste collection point:

(1) A household waste drop-off point must not accept waste other than the following types of household waste: pharmaceutical products, personal care products, batteries other than lead-acid batteries, paints, automotive fluids, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, mercury thermometers, and mercury thermostats. A household waste drop-off point may accept controlled substances in accordance with federal law.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(2) of this Section, household waste drop-off points must be located at a site or facility where the types of products accepted at the household waste drop-off point are lawfully sold, distributed, or dispensed. For example, household waste drop-off points that accept prescription pharmaceutical products must be located at a site or facility where prescription pharmaceutical products are sold, distributed, or dispensed.

(A) Subdivision (c)(2) of this Section does not apply to household waste drop-off points operated by a government or school entity, or by an association or other organization of government or school entities.

(B) Household waste drop-off points that accept mercury thermometers can be located at any site or facility where non-mercury thermometers are sold, distributed, or dispensed.

(C) Household waste drop-off points that accept mercury thermostats can be located at any site or facility where non-mercury thermostats are sold, distributed, or dispensed.

(3) The location of acceptance for each type of waste accepted at the household waste drop-off point must be clearly identified. Locations where pharmaceutical products are accepted must also include a copy of the sign required under subsection (j) of this Section.

(4) Household waste must be accepted only from private individuals. Waste must not be accepted from other persons, including, but not limited to, owners and operators of rented or leased residences where the household waste was generated, commercial haulers, and other commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government operations or entities.

(5) If more than one type of household waste is accepted, each type of household waste must be managed separately prior to its packaging for off-site transfer.

(6) Household waste must not be stored for longer than 90 days after its receipt, except as otherwise approved by the Agency in writing.

(7) Household waste must be managed in a manner that protects against releases of the waste, prevents nuisances, and otherwise protects human health and the environment. Household waste must also be properly secured to prevent unauthorized public access to the waste, including, but not limited to, preventing access to the waste during the non-business hours of the site or facility on which the household waste drop-off point is located. Containers in which pharmaceutical products are collected must be clearly marked "No Controlled Substances", unless the household waste drop-off point accepts controlled substances in accordance with federal law.

(8) Management of the household waste must be limited to the following: (i) acceptance of the waste, (ii) temporary storage of the waste prior to transfer, and (iii) off-site transfer of the waste and packaging for off-site transfer.

(9) Off-site transfer of the household waste must comply with federal and State laws and regulations.

(d) One-day household waste collection events. To further aid in the collection of certain household wastes, the Agency may approve the operation of one-day household waste collection events. The Agency shall not approve a one-day household waste collection event at the same site or facility for more than one day each calendar quarter. Requests for approval must be submitted on forms prescribed by the Agency. The Agency must issue its approval in writing, and it may impose conditions as necessary to protect human health and the environment and to otherwise accomplish the purposes of this Act. One-day household waste collection events must be operated in accordance with the Agency's approval, including all conditions contained in the approval. The following requirements apply to all one-day household waste collection events, in addition to the conditions contained in the Agency's approval:

(1) Waste accepted at the event must be limited to household waste and must not include garbage, landscape waste, or other waste excluded by the Agency in the Agency's approval or any conditions contained in the approval. A one-day household waste collection event may accept controlled substances in accordance with federal law.

(2) Household waste must be accepted only from private individuals. Waste must not be accepted from other persons, including, but not limited to, owners and operators of rented or leased residences where the household waste was generated, commercial haulers, and other commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government operations or entities.

(3) Household waste must be managed in a manner that protects against releases of the waste, prevents nuisances, and otherwise protects human health and the environment. Household waste must also be properly secured to prevent public access to the waste, including, but not limited to, preventing access to the waste during the event's non-business hours.

(4) Management of the household waste must be limited to the following: (i) acceptance of the waste, (ii) temporary storage of the waste before transfer, and (iii) off-site transfer of the waste or packaging for off-site transfer.

(5) Except as otherwise approved by the Agency, all household waste received at the collection event must be transferred off-site by the end of the day following the collection event.

(6) The transfer and ultimate disposition of household waste received at the collection event must comply with the Agency's approval, including all conditions contained in the approval.

(d-5) One-day compostable waste collection event. To further aid in the collection and composting of compostable waste, as defined in subsection (b), a municipality may approve the operation of one-day compostable waste collection events at any site or facility within its territorial jurisdiction, and a county may approve the operation of one-day compostable waste collection events at any site or facility in any unincorporated area within its territorial jurisdiction. The approval granted under this subsection (d-5) must be in writing; must specify the date, location, and time of the event; and must list the types of compostable waste that will be collected at the event. If the one-day compostable waste collection event is to be operated at a location within a county with a population of more than 400,000 but less than 2,000,000 inhabitants, according to the 2010 decennial census, then the operator of the event shall, at least 30 days before the event, provide a copy of the approval to the recycling coordinator designated by that county. The approval granted under this subsection (d-5) may include conditions imposed by the county or municipality as necessary to protect public health and prevent odors, vectors, and other nuisances. A one-day compostable waste collection event approved under this subsection (d-5) must be operated in accordance with the approval, including all conditions contained in the approval. The following requirements shall apply to the one-day compostable waste collection event, in addition to the conditions contained in the approval:

(1) Waste accepted at the event must be limited to the types of compostable waste authorized to be accepted under the approval.

(2) Information promoting the event and signs at the event must clearly indicate the types of compostable waste approved for collection. To discourage the receipt of other waste, information promoting the event and signs at the event must also include:

(A) examples of compostable waste being collected; and

(B) examples of waste that is not being collected.

(3) Compostable waste must be accepted only from private individuals. It may not be accepted from other persons, including, but not limited to, owners and operators of rented or leased residences where it was generated, commercial haulers, and other commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government operations or entities.

(4) Compostable waste must be managed in a manner that protects against releases of the waste, prevents nuisances, and otherwise protects human health and the environment. Compostable waste must be properly secured to prevent it from being accessed by the public at any time, including, but not limited to, during the collection event's non-operating hours. One-day compostable waste collection events must be adequately supervised during their operating hours.

(5) Compostable waste must be secured in non-porous, rigid, leak-proof containers that:

(A) are covered, except when the compostable waste is being added to or removed from the containers or it is otherwise necessary to access the compostable waste;

(B) prevent precipitation from draining through the compostable waste;

(C) prevent dispersion of the compostable waste by wind;

(D) contain spills or releases that could create nuisances or otherwise harm human health or the environment;

(E) limit access to the compostable waste by vectors;

(F) control odors and other nuisances; and

(G) provide for storage, removal, and off-site transfer of the compostable waste in a manner that protects its ability to be composted.

(6) No more than a total of 40 cubic yards of compostable waste shall be located at the collection site at any one time.

(7) Management of the compostable waste must be limited to the following: (A) acceptance, (B) temporary storage before transfer, and (C) off-site transfer.

(8) All compostable waste received at the event must be transferred off-site to a permitted compost facility by no later than 48 hours after the event ends or by the end of the first business day after the event ends, whichever is sooner.

(9) If waste other than compostable waste is received at the event, then that waste must be disposed of within 48 hours after the event ends or by the end of the first business day after the event ends, whichever is sooner.

(d-6) Permanent compostable waste collection points. To further aid in the collection and composting of compostable waste, as defined in subsection (b), a municipality may approve the operation of permanent compostable waste collection points at any site or facility within its territorial jurisdiction, and a county may approve the operation of permanent compostable waste collection points at any site or facility in any unincorporated area within its territorial jurisdiction. The approval granted pursuant to this subsection (d-6) must be in writing; must specify the location, operating days, and operating hours of the collection point; must list the types of compostable waste that will be collected at the collection point; and must specify a term of not more than 365 calendar days during which the approval will be effective. In addition, if the permanent compostable waste collection point is to be operated at a location within a county with a population of more than 400,000 but less than 2,000,000 inhabitants, according to the 2010 federal decennial census, then the operator of the collection point shall, at least 30 days before the collection point begins operation, provide a copy of the approval to the recycling coordinator designated by that county. The approval may include conditions imposed by the county or municipality as necessary to protect public health and prevent odors, vectors, and other nuisances. A permanent compostable waste collection point approved pursuant to this subsection (d-6) must be operated in accordance with the approval, including all conditions contained in the approval. The following requirements apply to the permanent compostable waste collection point, in addition to the conditions contained in the approval:

(1) Waste accepted at the collection point must be limited to the types of compostable waste authorized to be accepted under the approval.

(2) Information promoting the collection point and signs at the collection point must clearly indicate the types of compostable waste approved for collection. To discourage the receipt of other waste, information promoting the collection point and signs at the collection point must also include (A) examples of compostable waste being collected and (B) examples of waste that is not being collected.

(3) Compostable waste must be accepted only from private individuals. It may not be accepted from other persons, including, but not limited to, owners and operators of rented or leased residences where it was generated, commercial haulers, and other commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government operations or entities.

(4) Compostable waste must be managed in a manner that protects against releases of the waste, prevents nuisances, and otherwise protects human health and the environment. Compostable waste must be properly secured to prevent it from being accessed by the public at any time, including, but not limited to, during the collection point's non-operating hours. Permanent compostable waste collection points must be adequately supervised during their operating hours.

(5) Compostable waste must be secured in non-porous, rigid, leak-proof containers that:

(A) are no larger than 10 cubic yards in size;

(B) are covered, except when the compostable waste is being added to or removed from the container or it is otherwise necessary to access the compostable waste;

(C) prevent precipitation from draining through the compostable waste;

(D) prevent dispersion of the compostable waste by wind;

(E) contain spills or releases that could create nuisances or otherwise harm human health or the environment;

(F) limit access to the compostable waste by vectors;

(G) control odors and other nuisances; and

(H) provide for storage, removal, and off-site transfer of the compostable waste in a manner that protects its ability to be composted.

(6) No more than a total of 10 cubic yards of compostable waste shall be located at the permanent compostable waste collection site at any one time.

(7) Management of the compostable waste must be limited to the following: (A) acceptance, (B) temporary storage before transfer, and (C) off-site transfer.

(8) All compostable waste received at the permanent compostable waste collection point must be transferred off-site to a permitted compost facility not less frequently than once every 7 days.

(9) If a permanent compostable waste collection point receives waste other than compostable waste, then that waste must be disposed of not less frequently than once every 7 days.

(e) The Agency may adopt rules governing the operation of household waste drop-off points, other than one-day household waste collection events, one-day compostable waste collection events, and permanent compostable waste collection points. Those rules must be designed to protect against releases of waste to the environment, prevent nuisances, and otherwise protect human health and the environment. As necessary to address different circumstances, the regulations may contain different requirements for different types of household waste and different types of household waste drop-off points, and the regulations may modify the requirements set forth in subsection (c) of this Section. The regulations may include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) identification of additional types of household waste that can be collected at household waste drop-off points, (ii) identification of the different types of household wastes that can be received at different household waste drop-off points, (iii) the maximum amounts of each type of household waste that can be stored at household waste drop-off points at any one time, and (iv) the maximum time periods each type of household waste can be stored at household waste drop-off points.

(f) Prohibitions.

(1) Except as authorized in a permit issued by the Agency, no person shall cause or allow the operation of a household waste drop-off point, other than a one-day household waste collection event, one-day compostable waste collection event, or permanent compostable waste collection point, in violation of this Section or any regulations adopted under this Section.

(2) No person shall cause or allow the operation of a one-day household waste collection event in violation of this Section or the Agency's approval issued under subsection (d) of this Section, including all conditions contained in the approval.

(3) No person shall cause or allow the operation of a one-day compostable waste collection event in violation of this Section or the approval issued for the one-day compostable waste collection event under subsection (d-5) of this Section, including all conditions contained in the approval.

(4) No person shall cause or allow the operation of a permanent compostable waste collection event in violation of this Section or the approval issued for the permanent compostable waste collection point under subsection (d-6) of this Section, including all conditions contained in the approval.

(g) Permit exemptions.

(1) No permit is required under subdivision (d)(1) of Section 21 of this Act for the operation of a household waste drop-off point, other than a one-day household waste collection event, one-day compostable waste collection event, or permanent compostable waste collection point, if the household waste drop-off point is operated in accordance with this Section and all regulations adopted under this Section.

(2) No permit is required under subdivision (d)(1) of Section 21 of this Act for the operation of a one-day household waste collection event if the event is operated in accordance with this Section and the Agency's approval issued under subsection (d) of this Section, including all conditions contained in the approval, or for the operation of a household waste collection event by the Agency.

(3) No permit is required under paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Section 21 of this Act for the operation of a one-day compostable waste collection event if the compostable waste collection event is operated in accordance with this Section and the approval issued for the compostable waste collection point under subsection (d-5) of this Section, including all conditions contained in the approval.

(4) No permit is required under paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Section 21 of this Act for the operation of a permanent compostable waste collection point if the collection point is operated in accordance with this Section and the approval issued for the compostable waste collection event under subsection (d-6) of this Section, including all conditions contained in the approval.

(h) This Section does not apply to the following:

(1) Persons accepting household waste that they are authorized to accept under a permit issued by the Agency.

(2) Sites or facilities operated pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement entered into with the Agency under Section 22.16b(d) of this Act.

(i) (Blank).

(j) (Blank).

(k) If an entity chooses to participate as a household waste drop-off point, then it must follow the provisions of this Section and any rules the Agency may adopt governing household waste drop-off points.

(l) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 102-1055, eff. 6-10-22.)