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Countywide Landfill

Background

The Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility is located at 3619 Gracemont St., S.W., East Sparta, Ohio, and is owned and operated by Republic Services of Ohio II LLC. The landfill opened in 1991. About 275 acres of the site have a permit and license for disposal of solid waste. The landfill was built with systems to protect the environment. These include a specially designed liner system, a leachate collection system and a landfill gas collection and control system. Leachate is liquid mixed with waste.

It is estimated that Countywide legally accepted about 600,000 tons of aluminum-process waste between 1993 and 2001. The majority of this material is described as "dross" of "salt cake," a by-product of the melting of aluminum with a salt product. Salt is added to the aluminum as a cleaning agent in the melting process to prevent contamination of the metal.  When the aluminum dross mixes with water-based liquids, it results in a reaction that generates excessive heat that can cause noxious odors.

Since 2004, residents living near the landfill, and motorist passing by Countywide on Interstate Highway , have complained to local authorities and Ohio EPA about odors coming from the landfill. Republic has been working with Ohio EPA since 2004 to solve the problems at Countywide that have been causing these odors.

In February, 2008, the director of the Ohio EPA formally requested the assistance of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. In April, 2008, Republic signed a legal agreement with EPA called an Administrative Settlement and Order on Consent that requires the company to conduct a number of activities at the sight aimed at addressing problems at the landfill.

Site Updates | News Releases | Fact Sheets || Legal Agreements

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Site Updates

News Releases

• No Construction Work at Countywide Throughout Holiday Weekend August 29, 2008
• Necessary Construction at Countywide Landfill Causing Odors Nearby August 29, 2008
• EPA agreement on Countywide Landfill; includes extensive monitoring and capping plan April 11, 2008

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Fact Sheets

• Additional Efforts Under Way to Address Landfill Problems December 2008
• Update on Efforts Being Made to Address Landfill Problems July 2008
• Republic Signs Agreement with EPA to Address Landfill Problems May 2008

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Legal Agreements

• Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) (PDF) (32pp, 1.1MB) April 2008

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