Frequently Asked Questions
The following are commonly asked questions about Countywide RDF:
Q. How much waste is accepted daily?
A. The landfill accepts approximately 6,000 tons per day. That is equivalent to approximately 300 to 400 loads of waste. The facility is permitted to accept up to 7,800 tons per day.
Q. Where does the waste originate?
A. The waste disposed at the Countywide facility is generated by homes and businesses within a 26 county area in Northeast Ohio.
Q. Does Countywide take out-of-state waste?
A. No. Countywide has never accepted out-of-state waste.
Q. What types of wastes are accepted at the Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility?
A. Non-hazardous solid wastes from homes and commercial establishments also referred to as municipal solid waste, or MSW, is accepted at the landfill. Additionally, pre-approved non-hazardous industrial waste is permitted and accepted at the landfill. Currently, the landfill does accept compost, and bioremediation of petroleum contaminated soil waste, as well as non-hazardous liquid waste at our solidification plant.
No hazardous waste is accepted, nor do we accept e-waste. Additionally, the landfill does not accept untreated medical waste, car batteries, or whole tires for disposal. Source-separated yard wastes are banned from solid waste landfills and can be accepted at our compost facility.
Q. What environmental protection systems are in place at the landfill?
A. The extensive network of environmental protection systems at the Countywide landfill starts with a composite liner that is made of recompacted clay and synthetic materials. Three feet of clay is compacted to increase the impermeability of the liner. A geocomposite clay liner and a 60-mil
high-density plastic membrane are placed over the clay followed by a protective layer and leachate collection system. The liner system meets all state and federal regulations. Countywide is the only 100 percent lined landfill in the Stark-Wayne-Tuscarawas County Solid Waste District.
Leachate is liquid that is within the landfill that gets collected by Countywide’s leachate collection system. All leachate that is collected at Countywide is transported to area wastewater treatment plants for proper disposal. Rainfall that is diverted away from the landfill must also be managed. At the Countywide facility, storm water runoff is collected and contained in retention ponds. The retention ponds allow soil particles to settle out of the water before it is discharged to a nearby waterway. Surface water discharges are inspected and tested monthly.
Groundwater is one of the most important concerns at any landfill and requires special monitoring. At Countywide, the landfill is first and foremost sited such that groundwater contamination is highly improbable based on existing solid waste rules. Additionally, our liner system at Countywide adds a redundant engineered system of groundwater protection. Groundwater monitoring wells have been also installed around entire the site to ensure that landfill operations are not impacting groundwater. Each of the wells is sampled on a semiannual basis, with the results reviewed by the Stark County Health Department and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Countywide also voluntarily performs additional groundwater monitoring of the residential wells adjacent to the facility.
A gas management system is used to control the methane gas naturally produced during waste decomposition. The gas is safely burned in an enclosed flare stack located on the site. This system effectively minimizes odors, prevents gas migration, and ensures compliance with Clean Air Act regulations.
Other ways that Countywide stands out from the competition includes:
- An agreement to provide residential groundwater monitoring
- 100% lined site
- Written, working agreement with the Joint Solid Waste District
- We do not accept out-of-state waste
- Operates radiation detector at scales
- Employs a full-time waste inspector
- Employs a full-time engineer and health & safety manager
- Participates in overweight truck deterrence program with the local sheriff’s department
- Random waste inspections with local health department
- Operates spray-mounted truck wheel wash
- Guarantees disposal capacity for Joint Solid Waste District
- Has approved groundwater monitoring program
Q. What additional steps are taken to ensure that the landfill is a good neighbor?
A. Proper daily operations are critical to environmentally sound waste disposal. Therefore, all employees at Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility are trained to handle incoming waste in the most environmentally responsible manner. Access to the site is limited. The facility records and tracks all shipments to the landfill with gate receipts and weigh scales. Each load of incoming waste is visually inspected to ensure that only permitted materials are accepted for disposal. Once unloaded, the waste is visually inspected again and immediately compacted to conserve airspace. At the end of each working day, daily cover is placed over the compacted waste to minimize odors.
Steps are also taken to control dust and litter at the landfill. Periodic watering of access roads prevents dust from rising when trucks travel in and out of the landfill. A sweeper is used to minimize mud, dirt, and dust. Limiting the size of the active disposal area, applying daily cover and using fencing on windy days to catch lightweight materials minimizes litter. Laborers collect any litter that blows away from the landfill.
Countywide also maintains a 40-acre recreation area available to the public upon request. This area includes baseball, volleyball, basketball, and horseshoes facilities, as well as a fishing pond, playground, and picnic pavilion. We are also home to the R-C Eagles Model Plane Flying Club of Stark County.
Q. How do you control odors?
A. Countywide has added more than 190 additional gas wells, and three miles of piping and flares to collect and eliminate gas and odors. We have constructed 30 acres of HDPE capping, implemented an odor monitoring team, an ongoing air monitoring program, and a 6000 foot odor control system.
Q. Who permits and inspects the facility?
A. The facility is fully permitted and regularly inspected by the Stark County Health Department and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and US EPA also inspect various aspects of the facility.
Q. What is the life expectancy of the landfill?
A. The life expectancy, of course, varies depending on the volume of waste received for disposal. Currently, the facility is expected to serve the surrounding communities for approximately 20 years.
Q. Why do we need a landfill?
A. A landfill in Stark County ensures adequate competition among waste service companies. This translates to lower rates for waste collection and disposal services. Many counties that do not have landfills pay much higher rates for waste services. And remember, Countywide is the ONLY 100% lined landfill in the Stark-Wayne-Tuscarawas County region.
Q. When is the landfill open for business?
A. The Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to noon. The landfill is closed on Sundays and major holidays.
Q. Can I take a tour of the landfill?
A. Yes. Please contact Jeff Kraus, Community Relations Manager, to arrange for a tour.
Q. Who can I contact for more information?
A. For more information on the Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility, please contact:
Jeff Kraus
Area Community Relations Manager
Republic Waste Services of Ohio
Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility
3619 Gracemont Street SW
East Sparta, OH 44626
Telephone: 330-874-3855
Fax: 330-874-2426
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