Off-farm anaerobic digestion materials protocol
This protocol identifies off-farm anaerobic digestion materials listed on Schedules 1, 2, and 3 for on-farm production of biogas by regulated mixed anaerobic digestion facilities regulated by O. Reg. 267/03 under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002. Version effective as of December 5, 2025.
Schedule 1 – off-farm anaerobic digestion materials
The following materials are Schedule 1 materials:
- organic waste matter that:
- is derived from the processing of animal feed or animal feed ingredients, and
- contains no animal products
- organic waste matter that:
- is derived from the processing of animal feed or animal feed ingredients, and
- contains animal products, but only animal products that have been thermally denatured, and
- has a dry matter content of at least 70%
- organic waste matter derived from the drying or cleaning of field or nut crops
- organic waste matter derived from the processing of field or nut crops
- organic waste matter derived from the production of
- ethanol or biodiesel; or
- ethanol or biodiesel feedstocks and enzymes
- aquatic plants
- organic waste matter derived from food processing at:
- bakeries
- confectionery processing facilities
- dairies and facilities that process dairy products
- fruit and vegetable processing facilities
- cereal and grain processing facilities
- oil seed processing facilities
- snack food manufacturing facilities
- breweries and distilleries
- wineries
- beverage manufacturing facilities
7a. Organic waste matter derived from the production of ingredients used in food processing at facilities and locations listed in item 7.
- fruit and vegetable waste
- organic waste materials from a greenhouse, nursery, garden centre or flower shop that is not part of an agricultural operation
- organic waste matter that:
- is derived from the processing of pet food or pet food ingredients and
- contains no animal products
- organic waste matter that:
- is derived from the processing of pet food or pet food ingredients and
- contains animal products, but only animal products that have been thermally denatured and
- has a dry matter content of at least 70%
Schedule 2A – off-farm anaerobic digestion materials, limited
The following materials are Schedule 2A materials:
- organic waste matter that is derived from the processing of animal feed or animal feed ingredients and either:
- contains animal products that have not been thermally denatured
- contains animal products, whether thermally denatured or not, and has a dry matter content of less than 70%
- paunch manure
- organic waste matter from facilities where food or feed, or the ingredients intended for food or feed, are processed, prepared or distributed, unless it is described in Schedule 1
- organic waste matter produced in a dissolved air flotation process used for the treatment of wastewater from facilities where food, feed, or the ingredients intended for food or feed, are processed or prepared.
- organic waste matter that is derived from the processing of pet food or pet food ingredients and either:
- contains animal products that have not been thermally denatured
- contains animal products, whether thermally denatured or not, and has a dry matter content of less than 70%
Schedule 2B – off-farm anaerobic digestion materials, further limited
The following materials are Schedule 2B materials:
- source separated organics from municipal programs that do not permit used diapers, sanitary products and incontinence products
Schedule 3 – materials not acceptable for use in a regulated mixed anaerobic digestion facility
The following materials are Schedule 3 materials:
- solvents, where the solvent is a volatile organic compound that is used as a cleaning agent, diluent, dissolver, thinner, or viscosity reducer or for a similar purpose
- petroleum products and hydrocarbon fuels
- resins
- airplane food waste
- hazardous waste within the meaning of Regulation 347 (General – Waste Management) made under the Environmental Protection Act, 1990
Updated: December 05, 2025
Published: June 30, 2021