Organic Matter Recycling Regulation & Guidance
The Organic Matter Recycling Regulation of B.C. (OMRR) governs the construction and operation of compost facilities, and the production, distribution, storage, sale and use of biosolids and compost. It provides guidance for local governments and compost and biosolids producers, on how to use organic material while protecting soil quality and drinking water sources.
- Read the full Organic Matter Recycling Regulation Reg. 18/2002
The most recent amendments to the OMRR relate to composting facilities. They are summarized here:
- Order in Council
- Organic Matter Recycling Regulation Amendment - Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Organic Matter Recycling Regulation Amendment - Backgrounder (PDF)
Regulatory Review
The OMRR is currently undergoing a comprehensive review to ensure it remains protective of human health and the environment. Updates on the review will be posted as they become available.
The 2018 Intentions Paper was available for review and comment from September 7 to November 8, 2018. Comments received during that time will be considered in preparing the proposed revisions to the regulation. The intentions paper and the summary of comments are available below.
- 2018 Intentions Paper (PDF)
- 2018 Summary of Comments (PDF)
- Backgrounder: A Common Process for Regulatory Review (PDF)
For information on the consultation process and the development of policy intentions papers, visit the Environmental Protection Regulatory Review page.
Information and comments on the past review processes are available here:
B.C. Guidance Documents
Guidance to help understand and comply with the requirements outlined in the regulation:
CCME Guidance Documents
The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) is an intergovernmental forum for collective action on environmental issues of national and international concern. CCME produces many reports, tools, agreements and scientific and technical documents. The following CCME publications pertain to water quality, soil quality, biosolids and composting.
These links to the CCME website are provided for your convenience.
- Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines
- Guidelines for Compost Quality (PDF)
- Guidance Document for the Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids, Municipal Sludge and Treated Septage (PDF, 1MB)
- Emerging Substances of Concern in Biosolids: Concentrations and Effects of Treatment Processes Final Report-Literature Review (PDF)
- Emerging Substances of Concern in Biosolids: Concentrations and Effects of Treatment Processes Final Report - Field Sampling Program (PDF)
Environment Canada Technical Document
Environment Canada has also produced technical documents on waste processing to contribute to the waste discussion in Canada. The following document contains science-based and user-friendly information on organic waste management processing:
