Rhode Island's mandatory commercial food-waste diversion law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.9-17) requires large generators near composting facilities to divert organics, applying uniformly statewide to qualifying entities.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-18.9-17, enacted in 2014 and amended in subsequent sessions, covered entities generating one ton or more per week of organic waste and located within 15 miles of a permitted composting or anaerobic digestion facility must separate and divert that waste from disposal. The law applies to educational institutions, hospitals, supermarkets, and other large generators statewide; residential generators are exempt. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) enforces compliance under § 23-18.9. Backyard residential composting is encouraged statewide and not subject to permits when handling household organic waste only.
DEM may issue notices of violation and civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under § 23-18.9-9 for noncompliant covered entities; residential composters face no state penalties.
Providence County, RI
Rhode Island does not set statewide barking dog standards. Providence County has no county government. Barking dog complaints are handled by individual munic...
Providence County, RI
RIGL 31-42 governs abandoned motor vehicles statewide. Vehicles left 10 or more days in commercial garages after notice are deemed abandoned. Individual muni...
Providence County, RI
Providence County cities prohibit sidewalk blocking and unpaved front-yard parking. Providence Code §23-21 and Cranston Code require paved driveway surfaces....
Providence County, RI
RIGL 34-10-9 requires partition fences to run on the dividing line with each owner maintaining one-half and costs shared equally unless otherwise agreed. RIG...
Providence County, RI
RI State Building Code (SBC-1) exempts fences under 6 feet from building permits, but Providence County cities require zoning permits for most new fences. Hi...
Providence County, RI
Urban Providence County cities (Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket) restrict or prohibit backyard chickens. Smithfield, Lincoln, Cumberland, and Johnston a...
See how Foster Center's composting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.