Georgia Bans Yard Trimmings From Landfills (O.C.G.A. 12-8-40.2)

Under O.C.G.A. § 12-8-40.2(a), yard trimmings cannot be placed in or mixed with municipal solid waste except at three landfill types: construction-or-demolition landfills, inert-waste landfills, or lined municipal solid waste landfills operating a landfill-gas collection system that directs gas to beneficial uses such as electrical power generation. Subsection (b) otherwise prohibits landfill owners and operators from disposing of yard trimmings in municipal solid waste landfills. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division enforces the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act (O.C.G.A. Title 12, Chapter 8, Article 2), while cities, counties, and solid waste authorities set local handling rules that route grass, leaves, and limbs to composting and mulching.

The EPD director may impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per day for each day a violation of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act continues (O.C.G.A. § 12-8-30.6), following an administrative hearing.