(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, or chapter 446e or 446k, any facility where the sole business or activity conducted is composting of leaves or composting of leaves with the addition of grass clippings at a ratio of not less than 3.0 leaves to 1.0 grass clippings, shall be exempt from the requirements of sections 22a-208a and 22a-430. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 concerning facilities for the composting of leaves or leaves with the addition of grass clippings. Such regulations shall, without limitation, provide for the design, operation and monitoring of and reporting from such facilities.

(b) The commissioner may, by regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, exempt categories or classes of recycling facilities from the requirements of said § 22a-208a or 22a-430 provided such exemption would not adversely affect the environment and would advance the objectives of the solid waste management plan adopted and revised under sections 22a-228 and 22a-241a and the municipal solid waste recycling plan adopted under § 22a-241. No person or municipality may operate or continue to operate a recycling facility without permits issued under said § 22a-208a or 22a-430 unless such person or municipality first files with the commissioner a written request for exemption under the regulations adopted under this section.

(c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section exempting facilities composting leaves or composting leaves with the addition of grass clippings and the provisions of subsection (b) of this section exempting recycling facilities from the requirements of § 22a-208a shall not be construed to relieve such facilities from the obligation to comply with any other provision of this chapter or chapter 446e, including, but not limited to, operational requirements and other applicable requirements of regulations adopted under § 22a-209.