(a) On and after October 1, 1995, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, and on and after October 1, 1997, the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, shall provide for a program of public information to promote the recycling of grass clippings by composting at the property where the grass clippings are generated, by allowing the grass clippings to decompose in place or by composting grass clippings at a municipal or commercial composting facility.

(b) The commissioner shall authorize pilot projects, according to standards or guidelines he deems appropriate, under which municipalities may provide for the composting of grass clippings. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish composting of grass clippings at the property where such clippings were generated as the preferred method of disposal, or at a commercial composting facility, and to allow municipalities to compost grass clippings.

(c) After October 1, 1998, or six months after the commissioner adopts such regulations, whichever is sooner, no resources recovery facility or solid waste facility permitted under this chapter, other than a municipal or commercial composting facility, may accept significant quantities of grass clippings for disposal.