Sec. 4. A unit acting under this chapter must obtain approval from the department of environmental management, according to rules adopted by the environmental rules board, for any method or methods used for the disposal of solid waste before obtaining land or facilities. One (1) or more of the methods listed below may be used:

(1) A unit may use a sanitary landfill. If a sanitary landfill is to be used, information necessary to evaluate the project shall be submitted to the department of environmental management for review and approval before the purchase of land or equipment.

(2) A unit may use incineration. If incineration is to be used, the plans and specifications of each incinerating plant or other facility, along with other information necessary to evaluate the project, shall be submitted to the department of environmental management for review and approval before construction of the facilities. The plans must include an approved method for the disposal of noncombustible solid waste and incinerator residue.

(3) A unit may use composting. If composting is to be used, the plans and specifications of composting facilities, along with other information necessary to evaluate the project, shall be submitted to the department of environmental management for review and approval before construction of the facilities. The plans must provide for the proper disposal of all solid waste that is not suitable for composting.

(4) A unit may use a garbage grinding system involving the separate collection and disposal of garbage into a community sewerage system through commercial-type grinders or community-wide installation of individual grinders. As used in this subdivision, “garbage” means all decayable solid and semisolid wastes resulting from the processing, preparation, cooking, serving, or consumption of food or food materials. The plans and specifications for the garbage grinding facilities, along with other information necessary to evaluate the project, shall be submitted to the department of environmental management for review and approval before construction or installation of the facilities. The plans must provide for the proper disposal of all solid waste that is not suitable for grinding.

(5) A unit may use any other suitable methods or facilities for the disposal of solid waste, if the plans and specifications, along with other information necessary to evaluate the project, are submitted to the department of environmental management for review and approval before the acquisition, construction, installation, or operation of the method or facility.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-18-1; 19-2-1-2 part; 19-2-1-3 part; 19-2-6-1 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.106. Amended by P.L.143-1985, SEC.203; P.L.113-2014, SEC.127.