Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

Operating requirements include keeping records of waste loads accepted and rejected; activities at the working face, including the application of daily and intermediate cover; proper management of surface water and leachate; and prevention of nuisances or health hazards (e.g. managing noise, dust, odors, insects, and rodents).  The operator is also required to monitor the ground water for potential contamination and to monitor for explosive gas migration.

After an MSW landfill is closed, the facility is maintained and monitored for a minimum of 30 years.  Financial assurance is required.  If at any time someone desires to disturb the landfill (e.g. build a road, install utility lines, put in ball fields), the director must first give his authorization to do so.

To construct and operate an MSW landfill, various authorizations are required. From the solid waste program, the owner or operator must obtain a permit to install (PTI), issued by Ohio EPA to construct the landfill. Every year, the owner or operator must obtain a license issued by the licensing authority (either the health department or Ohio EPA).  After a permit is issued, if the owner or operator desires to modify or alter the facility, they must obtain authorization from the director. A modification requires a permit.  An alteration requires concurrence from the agency. The law allows an owner or operator to request a variance or exemption from a rule requirement.  Often these requests are submitted with the application for a permit.  There are fees for permits, licenses, and variances but not for alterations or exemptions. Obtaining a permit is a very complex and lengthy process to resolve hydrogeologic issues (for siting and ground water monitoring) and design considerations.  There are opportunities for public participation.

Regulation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills is under Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-27 , Rules 01 to 20. Licensing requirements are addressed under OAC 3745-37.  These rules are adopted pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 3734.  On the federal level, municipal solid waste is regulated pursuant to Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act under 40 CFR Part 258.