Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility New guardrails for noxious commercial waste in place for farmland, neighbors

New guardrails for noxious commercial waste in place for farmland, neighbors

Rep. Paul Friel    July 14, 2026 | 2:56 PM

HARRISBURG, July 14 – New guardrails regulating the use of food processing residuals are now law in Pennsylvania after being included in the newly passed state budget, establishing necessary oversight for commercial food waste that is disposed of on some farms.

State Rep. Paul Friel, who advanced the proposal with bipartisan support, said that he was glad to see the General Assembly take action on a pervasive problem in the state.

"For four years I've been working with stakeholders and with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to pass protective legislation. The process was extensive and worthwhile, because it led us to legislation that could pass with wide support, be signed into law, and get the job done," said Friel, D-Chester.

Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover products created by commercial food processing. They can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps and liquid waste from cleaning processes that might contain blood, fat, hair, feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts, as well as chemicals used in processing. The results of spreading FPR on farmland have included noxious odors, air quality problems and contaminated drinking water.

Surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of these residuals, making Pennsylvania a target for the cheap disposal of this commercial waste stream.

"By embedding these critical protections directly into state law, we are establishing the oversight needed to protect our communities, our drinking water and our farmland," Friel said.

The statutory language, which follows years of outdated oversight and easily exploited loopholes regarding commercial food waste, garnered wide bipartisan support.

"This is a massive win for Pennsylvania farmers who want to protect their soil, and for neighbors who deserve clean air and water," Friel said.

“I want to thank my many colleagues who have supported this effort, including Rep. Barb Gleim and former Rep. Paul Schemel, and worked with me on this legislation from the start,” he added.