Recovered Materials

The Land Protection Branch's Recovered Materials Unit (RMU) encourages the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials and provides technical assistance on recycling and related technologies that use recovered materials and industrial by-products.

The unit oversees Recovered Materials Permitting, which includes scrap tire processors, recovered materials processors, composting and anaerobic digestor operations, and materials recovery facilities. The unit reviews permits-by-rule for community composting operations and applications for beneficial reuse projects. Its staff members respond to inquiries about recovered materials processing facilities.

The unit administers the Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF), which is funded by Georgia's Tire Management Fee. The SWTF is used to support statewide recycling initiatives, ensure the safe management of abandoned landfills, and abate illegal scrap tire piles. The Solid Waste Trust Fund Grant Program furthers the goals of the SWTF by providing financial support for projects that meet the requirements described in O.C.G.A. § 12-8-27.1 and O.C.G.A. § 12-8-37.1 of the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act (Act), and Rule 391-3-21.17 of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (Rules).  

Related Links

  • Solid Waste Trust Fund

    The Solid Waste Trust Fund, funded by Georgia's Tire Management Fee and is used to abate and recycle scrap tire, support statewide recycling initiatives and ensure the safe management of abandoned landfills.

  • Solid Waste Trust Fund Grant Program

    The Solid Waste Trust Fund (SWTF) Grant Program furthers the goals of the SWTF by providing financial support for projects that meet the requirements described in O.C.G.A. § 12-8-27.1 and O.C.G.A. § 12-8-37.1 of the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act (Act), and Rule 391-3-21.17 of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (Rules).

  • Composting

    Information on composting operations in Georgia, permit requirements, backyard composting, and composting at community gardens.

  • Anaerobic Digestion

    Information about anaerobic digestion and permit requirements. 

  • Municipal Measurement Program for Waste Diversion and Recycling

    The Municipal Measurement Program (MMP) is a free tool for local governments to track and measure the effectiveness of waste and recycling programs. 

  • Recycling and Waste Reduction Resources

    Resources for recycling, reuse, composting, and more for business and industry and the general public.

  • Mulching Operations

    Information about mulch as a recovered material and exemptions for mulching operations. 

  • Recycling and Waste Reduction Grants

    Information on grants for local governments. 

  • Food Residuals Diversion

    Information on EPD's work in keeping wasted food out of the landfill and resources on food recovery, donation, and more.   

  • Environmental Education in Georgia

    EEinGeorgia is an online environmental education (EE) guide where you can find lesson plans, field trips, workshops, grants, student contests, waste reduction resources and more.

  • Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation

    Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation is a network that engages with local communities to end litter, reduce waste, promote recycling, and beautify communities.