Dear Resident:
Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility has been a good neighbor, supporting numerous organizations and contributing economically to Stark County residents for the past 17 years. As importantly, we serve a critical role in the safe management of solid waste. With regard to the aluminum dross reaction at our site, we want you to hear our position and to know about some of the progress we are making at the site.
This reaction is truly an anomaly and does not reflect on the superior daily operations of the landfill. The reaction is located in an older, inactive cell, which is in a non-operating part of the landfill.
The situation was created when aluminum dross came in contact with water resulting in a chemical reaction that produced higher than normal temperatures in the landfill. The higher temperatures caused the waste in the older portion of the landfill to decompose faster than normal. This rapid decomposition has resulted in a settlement in the landfill that was faster than normal. Additionally, the decomposing waste gave off excessive landfill gas, which created odors.
Neither the OEPA nor the USEPA have had many experiences with aluminum dross reactions. Both regulatory agencies are working closely with us to understand and control the reaction. What we learn through this experience will set policies and procedures for landfills across the country for years to come.
Many landfills in the United States have accepted aluminum dross, including all of the landfills in this area. This substance, a byproduct of aluminum manufacturing, is not identified by the USEPA as hazardous waste. Countywide did nothing wrong when it accepted the dross into the landfill and neither did the other landfills in our area. Countywide did not know that this material would react as it has when it was accepted. We are fortunate that Countywide is a 100% lined facility that provides additional environmental protection over unlined sites. If this reaction were to occur at any other area landfill, the community would be without this important protection system.
Countywide has moved quickly and pro-actively to control the reaction and remediate the site. The hundreds of thousands of hours and millions of dollars in resources are paying off as the reaction is slowing. Our efforts will continue. Countywide is complying with the strictest orders ever issued by the OEPA and we are meeting every requirement to the absolute fullest. The OEPA will confirm this.
The reaction is under control. We know that odor is elevated when we are drilling and we will continue to closely monitor air quality. The bottom line is the landfill is safe. The groundwater is also safe. All of these have been proven repeatedly through numerous independent professionals and testing laboratories.
Outside of this isolated event, which is closely monitored, Countywide is one of the best performing landfills in the country. Our record of compliance is far better than other landfills. We will continue to work closely with the OEPA, the USEPA and other regulatory agencies to ensure the old portion of the landfill is fixed. Keep in mind that revoking the facility’s operating license will not help fix the problem any sooner. In fact, a loss of our license would be economically devastating not only to the hundreds employed by Countywide but to the community at large.
Sincerely,
Tim Vandersall, P.E.
General Manager, Countywide Recycling & Disposal Facility
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