Ohio EPA has initiated an
open, transparent review process that will look at all aspects of the law in an effort to make it more efficient and effective. By communicating and consulting with interested parties, Ohio EPA will seek to gain consensus on the potential changes. Watch the
March 9 webinar or see the
frequently asked questions for more information. The process will include these general steps:
Phase I, completed in June, 2012, focused on gathering information from key
groups such as interested parties, trade organizations and the public.
Identified issues were shared with the Solid Waste Advisory Council.
Any individual or organization interested in HB 592 or solid waste
management in Ohio was invited to meet with Ohio EPA to discuss their
ideas or concerns.
Although Phase I has formally ended, Ohio EPA is always
interested in hearing additional thoughts and comments. If you would
like to meet with Ohio EPA, please send a meeting request to Christopher Germain or call (614) 728-5317. You are also encouraged to submit ideas and comments (.doc and .pdf attachments are acceptable) by email or hard copy to:
Ohio EPA, DMWM
ATTN: Christopher Germain
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43216-1049
Ohio EPA met with or heard from the following groups during this phase:
- Organization of Solid Waste Districts of Ohio/County Commissioners Association of Ohio (OSWDO)
- National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA)
- Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
- Ohio Environmental Health Association (OEHA)
- Ohio Municipal League (OMA)
- Ohio Township Association (OTA)
- Ohio Manufacturers Association (OMA)
- Ohio Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
- Ohio Environmental Council /Ohio Sierra Club (OEC)
- Association of Ohio Recyclers (AOR)
- Association of Organics Recyclers of Ohio (ORAO)
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
- Solid Waste Management Advisory Council Members (SWAC)
- Local Planning & Environmental Groups
- Solid Waste Consultants
- Individual Solid Waste Management Districts (SWMDs)
- Individual Businesses
- Individual Ohio citizens
Ohio EPA gathered a substantial amount of thoughts, ideas and general
comments about the current system and desired changes. This information
was carefully synthesized and presented at the beginning of the kickoff
meetings for Phase II: Discussion and Consensus-building.
During this phase, Ohio EPA will organize group discussions among the
various interested parties to further explore, refine and build
consensus on the issues. Ohio EPA will make a calendar of these meetings
available to the public.
Phase II will consist of facilitated group discussions with
interested parties to seek consensus on proposed revisions to date.
Depending on the issues identified in Phase I, there may be some
issue-specific meetings. Phase II is currently active and will continue through Spring 2013. As
meetings are scheduled, they will be posted on the HB 592 calendar.
Results will be reported to the Solid Waste Management Advisory Council
(SWAC).
Kickoff Meetings
Ohio EPA held two Phase II kickoff meetings and a webinar to share
our findings from Phase I and to begin the stakeholder to stakeholder
conversations that will define Phase II. Presentation slides are
provided to allow participants to collect their thoughts and to share
with anyone who may have missed the meeting. The ideas presented on the
slides are a compilation of ALL ideas heard during Phase I and do not
constitute an endorsement of any particular course of action by Ohio
EPA. While the format of various slides may be slightly different based
on various feedback, the content remained the same throughout all three
meetings.
In addition, facilitator notes, taken by OSU Extension facilitators,
have been provided for the July 16 and 23 meetings. The notes are
provided in their raw form as typed directly from the note pads at the
meeting. As such, some bullet points may seem confusing to anyone not in
attendance. A recording of the July 30 webinar is available for anyone
unable to attend any of the meetings. If you have question, please contact Christopher Germain.
July 16 - Lorain County Transportation & Community Center – 20th Century Room
July 23 - National Composite Center Auditorium
July 30 - Webinar Recording
Issue Specific Meetings
After the kickoff meetings, research will begin on various issues.
As research progresses, issue specific meetings will be scheduled to
begin formal discussion and consensus building efforts.
As Phase II discussions progress, it is important to remember that
the end result of this process will not be just statutory changes
(legislative), but also regulatory, the formation of partnerships,
development of shared visions and identification of issues to tackle
later on down the road after the initial reforms. Participants are
urged to keep these various solutions in mind as they prepare for these
discussions, as they will ultimately all be utilized. As a visual aid,
Ohio EPA developed the following graphic to guide the discussion:
After the discussion/consensus—building phase, Ohio EPA will issue a
formal proposal for possible changes. Interested parties will have
another opportunity to provide comments to the Agency about the proposal.
This phase will occur in late Spring-Summer 2013.
The purpose of Phase III is to develop and issue draft recommendations based on Phase II discussions and consensus building efforts. These recommendations most likely come in the form of a complete document designed to take Ohio from today’s HB 592-based system to the vision that was established during Phase II of the process.
The final proposal will not be a legislative document, but will guide the legislative process in Phase IV. Based on the Phase II solutions framework, the proposal will include not only suggested statutory changes, but also regulatory changes, opportunities for partnerships, shared visions for specific areas and other policy-based solutions that are discussed during Phase II.
Once a draft proposal has been completed, Ohio EPA will seek input from the Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC). Ohio EPA also will solicit public comments from across the state and modify the recommendations as appropriate before issuing the final recommendations that will guide the development of legislation in Phase IV: Legislative Initiative.
Once the proposal goes through a public comment period and is revised
and finalized, Ohio EPA will work with lawmakers to move the initiative
into the legislative process. Ohio EPA will recommend legislative changes and seek
support for the introduction and passage of a bill to update Ohio's
solid waste management structure. A bill is expected to be introduced in late Summer 2013.
Solid Waste Management in Ohio: Vision for 2035 and Beyond
During Phase I of the Solid Waste Management Review project, several interested parties requested that Ohio EPA articulate a long term vision regarding waste management in Ohio in order for them to have a broader context from which to provide input to Ohio EPA. Ohio EPA has repeatedly stated that while the focus of the project is to evaluate the statutes governing solid waste management, the outcomes from the Review Project will not all be legislative in nature.
Outcomes will include a legislative proposal, but could also include regulatory reform, new partnerships and initiatives, or shared vision from which all participants in the solid waste management system can work towards a common goal. Therefore, the request for a vision statement made sense as part of the overall project.
The Vision Statement was originally issued in draft form on Oct. 9, 2012 and Ohio EPA received a significant number of comments during the comment period, which ran until Nov. 5, 2012. Some comments were supportive of the Vision Statement as originally drafted, while others suggested that we withdraw it in its entirety. The final Vision Statement shown below, and available in PDF, has been significantly revised based on the comments received during that time.
These types of visions statements are sometimes termed “aspirational”, and it is entirely non-legislative in nature. However, Ohio EPA hopes that it can serve as a meaningful statement of long-term vision for Ohio and can help focus the energies and efforts of all Ohioans toward a better future of waste management in the State.
Solid Waste Management in Ohio: Vision for 2035 and Beyond
Ohio continues to reduce waste generation. Waste materials that are generated are recognized as important resources that often have significant economic value. These materials are managed in ways that maximize that value and prevent the negative impacts associated with improper management. Ohio will manage waste materials via a competitive and innovative portfolio of best management practices that include recycling, composting, and other beneficial approaches, with disposal as a last resort. These practices are developed and operated by public, private and non-profit stakeholders at all stages of the product life cycle. Landfilling is practiced at an ever decreasing rate, while Ohio strives toward zero landfilling.
There are numerous ways you can get involved and provide input:
- Schedule a meeting with representatives of Ohio EPA. If you are interested in meeting with Ohio EPA, please send a meeting request to Christopher Germain or call (614) 728-5317.
- Submit comments to Ohio EPA.
Ohio EPA will accept public comments throughout the entire review
process. Once a formal proposal is finalized, there will be a final,
formal comment period. At any time during the process, interested
parties are encouraged to submit their ideas and comments to Christopher Germain (.doc and .pdf attachments are acceptable). Hard copy comments can be submitted to:
Ohio EPA, DMWM
ATTN: Christopher Germain
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH, 43216-1049
- Get on the email listserv. Call or email Christopher Germain to have your name and email added to the list for updates as we move forward.
- Participate in a meeting. During Phase II, Ohio EPA will schedule public meetings to explore and discuss some of the issues and ideas.
- Respond to the formal proposal. During Phase III, Ohio EPA will issue a formal proposal for public comment.
During Spring 2013, Ohio EPA will release draft proposals for public review and comment. Draft proposals and comment deadlines will be posted here as they are released. The contact person may be different depending on the issue, so be sure to read the information included in each proposal for specific instructions about providing comments. Any general questions may be directed to Christopher Germain.
Date Released: March 4, 2013
Comments Due: April 1, 2013
Throughout Phase II and III, Ohio EPA will host a series of meetings to discuss and explore various issues related to the solid waste management laws and system in Ohio. Meetings will generally be targeted to one or more specific issues. Some meetings may involve invitations to specific stakeholders, while others will be through open invitation to all stakeholders. All will be public meetings (thus, anyone may participate if desired). Under each meeting, you will find agendas and background documents as they become available.
Upcoming Meetings
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&DD) Program Meeting
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Riffe Building, Room 1932, Columbus OH 43215
Invitations extended by Ohio EPA – RSVP to Christopher Germain
Previous Meetings
- SWMD-Industry Meeting on Rules/Authorities and Flow Control — April 30, 2013 — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Association of Health Commissioners (AOHC) NW Ohio Regional Meeting — April 26, 2013 — 10 a.m.
- Association of Health Commissioners (AOHC) SW Ohio Regional Meeting — April 26, 2013 — 2:30 p.m.
- Planning Discussion: Organization of Ohio Solid Waste Districts (OSWDO) — April 4, 2013 — 10 a.m.
- SWMD Structure Sub-Committee
Jan. 17, 24 & 31, February 14 & 21, 10 a.m.—12 p.m.
Video Conference (Jan. 17, 31, Feb 14)
County Commissioners Association of Ohio Boardroom (Jan. 24 and Feb. 21)
- HB 592 Review Discussion: Ohio Township Association — Jan. 31, 2013, 1:30 p.m.—2:15 p.m.
- Ohio Municipal League — Feb. 5, 2013, 1 p.m.—3 p.m.
- SWMD/Ohio EPA Workgroup — Feb. 7, 2013, 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
- SWMD Structure Discussion — January 10, 2013, 10 a.m.—2 p.m. <AGENDA>
- Electronics Recycling Stakeholder Meeting — January 11, 2013, 11 a.m.—1 p.m.
- SWMD Rules/Authorities/Flow Control: Industry Focus — January 14, 2013, 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
- SWMD Rules/Authorities/Flow Control: SWMD Focus — Dec. 20, 2012, 11 a.m. <AGENDA>
- Facility Oversight Meeting (Facilities) — Dec. 17, 2012, 10 a.m.
- Facility Oversight Meeting (Health Departments/Ohio EPA) — Dec. 17, 1:30 p.m.
- Facility Oversight Pre-Meeting (Facilities) — Dec. 10, 2012, 11 a.m.
- Facility Oversight Pre-Meeting (Health Departments/Ohio EPA) — Dec. 10, 2012, 1:30 p.m.
- Scrap Tires <Background document>
- Illegal Disposal focus <AGENDA> — Nov. 29, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.
- Industry Discussion <AGENDA> — Nov. 30, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.
- Ohio Solid Waste Management District — Ohio EPA Workgroup: Nov. 1, 2012 [Planning Issues]
- Ohio Solid Waste Management District — Ohio EPA Workgroup: Aug. 2, 2012 [Planning Issues]
After 39 information gathering meetings, 130 pages of notes, 17 formal documents and several emails/phone calls/etc., Ohio EPA has compiled a list of issues have significant support (albeit not necessarily agreement on), warranting further discussion. This list is not an endorsement of any particular point of view or issue and merely serves as guidance as we continue research and discussions in Phase II.
This is a ‘living document’ and will almost certainly change as discussions take place and solutions for some issues eliminate or alter other issues on this list. As the list is revised, we will post new editions on this page.
Initial List (10/9/2012)
Health Department Inspection/Time Survey (
Microsoft Excel) (
Instructions)
This survey is the final piece of the data collection efforts for the Facility Oversight sub-project. Ohio EPA is reaching out to 14 specific local health departments (LHDs) on this particular survey, but will gladly accept any responses from other willing LHDs. Responses are due to Ohio EPA (via email to Adam Cummins) by 5 p.m. on May 10, 2013. Please direct any questions to Adam Cummins.
For a customized survey specific to your health department/district’s solid waste and construction and demolition debris (C&DD) facilities, please contact Adam Cummins by Friday, May 3, 2013.
Health Department Activities Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel)
In December, 2012, Ohio EPA released a spreadsheet containing Health Departments solid waste and CDD facility oversight activities for 2011. All health departments were encouraged to view the spreadsheet and submit any corrections to Adam Cummins. The latest version of this spreadsheet is posted here with updated data from responding Health Departments. Health Departments are encouraged to view the spreadsheet and submit any further corrections to Adam Cummins.