HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers have advanced legislation to tighten oversight of food processing waste applied to farmland, following bipartisan concerns about odors, groundwater contamination, and outdated regulations.
What This Means for You
- New rules could limit odors and reduce risks to drinking water near farms
- The state would update decades-old guidelines governing food waste use
- Increased oversight could prevent unregulated waste from entering PA
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 586 on Wednesday by a 172–29 vote, sending the measure to the state Senate for consideration.
The bill aims to regulate “food processing residuals,” or FPR — leftover materials from commercial food production, including vegetable scraps, meat byproducts, and liquid waste from cleaning processes that may contain chemicals.
Why Lawmakers Acted
Currently, companies handling these materials only need to state they will follow the state’s Food Processing Residual Management Manual, a set of guidelines issued by the Department of Environmental Protection.
The manual has not been updated since June 1994, and the bill would require it to be revised and strengthened.
Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, said the lack of oversight has left Pennsylvania vulnerable.
“We don’t know what is coming in or how much is being applied,” Friel said during House debate. “We have more regulation on manure in Pennsylvania than we do on this unknown waste stream coming into our state.”
Lawmakers noted that surrounding states have restricted or banned the use of these materials, increasing the likelihood that waste is being transported into Pennsylvania for disposal.
What the Bill Does
House Bill 586 would require updated state guidance and introduce additional oversight of how food processing residuals are handled and applied.
The goal is to reduce environmental risks — including groundwater contamination — and limit impacts on nearby communities, such as strong odors.
A related measure, House Bill 587, passed earlier this session and establishes certification requirements for waste haulers and brokers.
“These two bills offer a lasting legislative solution built through bipartisan cooperation,” Friel said, citing input from agriculture, environmental agencies, and local stakeholders.
Next Steps
The legislation now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate, where it will be reviewed and potentially amended before any final passage.
If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the changes would modernize how Pennsylvania regulates food processing waste and its use on farmland.
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