The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a series of hearings over the next few weeks, providing the public an opportunity to comment on proposed updates to the state plan that establishes waste reduction and recycling goals for Ohio and the state’s 52 solid waste management districts. The main purpose of the state plan is to help protect the environment by reducing Ohio’s reliance on using solid waste landfill facilities.
Meeting dates and locations are as follows (all meetings begin at 3:00 PM):
- September 24 at Ohio EPA’s Southwest District Office, 401 E. Fifth St., Dayton
- September 25 at Ohio EPA’s Northwest District Office, 347 North Dunbridge Rd., Bowling Green
- September 30 at Ohio EPA’s Southeast District Office, 2195 Front St., Logan
- October 1 at Ohio EPA’s Central Office, 50 W. Town Street, Suite 700, Columbus
- October 2 at Ohio EPA’s Northeast District Office, 2110 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg
Proposed changes to the state plan would provide solid waste management districts greater flexibility for achieving the state’s reduction and recycling goals. These proposed changes include replacing the industrial recycling and reduction goal with education, outreach, and programming to increase industry recycling efforts. Click here (link: https://epa.ohio.gov/portals/34/document/general/State%20Plan.public%20comment.pdf) to view the draft.
In drafting proposed updates to the plan, Ohio EPA staff receives direction and guidance from the 13-member Materials Management Advisory Council, which represents solid waste management districts, health districts, counties, municipalities, townships, environmental advocacy groups, private sector industries, and the general public. After consideration of public comments and guidance from the council, a final proposal will be submitted to the Ohio EPA director in the coming months.
Written comments will be accepted through October 7. Comments and questions regarding the draft plan may be emailed to ernest.stall@epa.ohio.gov or via mail to the attention of Ernie Stall at Ohio EPA-DMWM, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049. Written comments also may be submitted to the hearing officer at the public hearings. All testimony received at the hearing or comments received by close of business on October 7 will be considered by Ohio EPA prior to adopting the final State Plan.
