Landfill granted permit

FOSTORIA—WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County recently received a long-awaited permit allowing for an expansion of the landfill. After applying to expand in May 2022, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency approved a permit that will allow WIN Waste Solutions to expand its municipal solid waste landfill. Construction on 94 of the requested 218-acre expansion will proceed. The permit application includes plans to design and install: • a composite liner system • leachate collection and management system • surface water controls • composite final cap system • groundwater monitoring • explosive gas monitoring • financial assurance for closure and post-closure care • air pollution control system that removes sulfur from the landfill gas The permit approval comes right after the Seneca County General Health District installed two new air monitoring systems around the landfill to monitor for hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The Ohio EPA also completed more than 150 inspections from December 2023 to August 2024. The expansion also needed permits from Materials and Waste Management, Air Pollution Control and Surface Water divisions. The Ohio EPA reviewed the application and states there are no outstanding violations at the facility. WIN Waste Innovations Community Engagement Manager Ben Nutter said the landfill already had the most extensive air monitoring network in place, that are strategically located around the landfill. He said the monitoring systems collect data every 10 minutes around the clock. "We welcome additional oversight from the Seneca County General Health District as we continue to maintain the highest standards of environmental safety," Nutter said. But, there are still concerns that not enough is being done to maintain proper oversight of the landfill. Ohio Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) said he is appreciative that WIN Waste was not granted a full permit and is hopeful that local elected officials can commit to listening and learning from county residents. "Other states are changing their trash policies and that makes Ohio a new dumping ground," Reineke said. "I will continue working with my colleagues in the Ohio House and Ohio Senate, as well as with the administration, to develop and implement a legislative solution that supports environmental studies and more local oversight."