Dive Brief:
- Medina County, OH, ceased using its mixed-waste facility until it can formulate a plan to better work the facility into the area's waste management goals. Its recycling rate is 3.6%, according to a report.
- The county owns a mixed-waste facility, once operated by Envision Waste Services, where recyclables are processed. In light of the data, the 2012 report issued by the county made the recommendation to keep the mixed-waste system until 2030, while implementing a drop-off program to work in tandem with the plant.
- Officials in Medina County have called for a revision of the plan, which covers 2016-2030. They are pushing for the inclusion of a curbside collection program.
Dive Insight:
Beth Biggins-Ramer, the solid waste district coordinator for Medina County, said that the region’s most pressing need is not raising recycling rates. She said the goal is to meet the state’s obligation to ensure access to recycling, in addition to reworking the county’s solid waste plan.
As a result of the findings, the county established a "single-stream drop-off" system that serves the county. A group has been convened to determine if any changes should be made to the county’s program, which must first be approved by the cities in the county before its delivered to the Ohio EPA for final approval.
