Rhode Island Statewide Rule

Rhode Island Composting and Food Waste State Law

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Rhode Island (2026)

Rhode Island's food-waste ban (R.I. Gen. Laws Section 23-18.9-17) requires large organic-waste generators located within 15 miles of a composting or digestion facility to divert food waste, applying statewide to qualifying entities.

Key Facts

Statute: Section 23-18.9-17 (food-waste ban)
Threshold: 104 tons/year organics
Distance: Within 15 miles of facility
Residential: Exempt
Enforcement: DEM

Source: Rhode Island General Assembly

Full Breakdown

Under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 23-18.9-17, the food-waste ban, a covered entity must separate and divert organic waste to an authorized composting or anaerobic-digestion facility if it generates at least 104 tons per year of organic waste and is located within 15 miles of such a facility with capacity. The threshold is lower for educational institutions (52 tons per year, and 30 tons per year from 2023). The law targets supermarkets, hospitals, and other large generators; residential generators are exempt. DEM enforces compliance, and backyard household composting remains unregulated.

Violations & Penalties

DEM may issue notices of violation and civil penalties for noncompliant covered entities; residential composters face no state penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rhode Island require composting at home?

No. The food-waste ban applies only to large commercial and institutional generators. Backyard household composting is unregulated and encouraged.

Who must comply with the food-waste ban?

Supermarkets, hospitals, and similar large generators producing at least 104 tons per year of organic waste that are within 15 miles of a permitted composting or digestion facility.

Sources

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