The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Columbus, has finalized a new state solid waste management plan that establishes waste reduction and recycling goals for Ohio and its 52 solid waste management districts.
“I challenge all of Ohio’s residents, communities and businesses to increase recycling efforts so our state can become a leader in practices that reduce our reliance on landfills when managing solid waste,” says Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski.
The plan, developed by Ohio EPA and the state Solid Waste Management Advisory Council (SWAC), includes strategies for solid waste management intended to increase Ohio’s waste reduction and recycling efforts. The plan is focused on improving the effectiveness of community recycling and outreach programs.
The state says it also will support the development and facilitate the implementation of technology that uses waste to produce energy. To fulfill this strategy, Ohio EPA says it will “investigate developing streamlined rules to permit and operate waste-to-energy facilities.” Additionally, Ohio EPA will work to monitor and evaluate the impacts of landfills in Ohio on greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, or to increase the recovery of landfill gas for energy.
Other major plan changes include:
- Requiring each solid waste management district to become more effective at changing recycling behavior by preparing and implementing an outreach and marketing plan targeting five audiences;
- Requiring all solid waste management districts to provide four primary programs, including a Web site to inform the public about available recycling; an inventory of recycling options; a comprehensive resource guide that lists all recycling opportunities in the district by material as well as a speaker/presenter who can be invited to speak;
- A new goal for solid waste management districts to measure the effects of recycling and reduction programs on greenhouse gas emissions;
- New methods to calculate the population having access to drop-off recycling including a tonnage model and a survey model;
- Encouraging solid waste management districts to implement the most highly effective waste reduction programs by allowing flexibility in demonstrating how they achieve program goals; and
- Recommending a number of siting criteria revisions for solid waste facilities, including the addition of a setback for stream channels, and a buffer zone that prohibits solid waste facilities from being located within defined distances of utility corridors, public roads, railroad rights-of-way and stream culverts.
SWAC consists of representatives of the public, solid waste industry, local governments and other affected parties. They reviewed the plan and made recommendations concerning needs in their areas of expertise. A public comment period was held that included five public hearings throughout the state.