SOLID WASTE DIVISION

In order to be in compliance with the Solid Waste Act of Ohio, the Commissioners of Medina County constructed a Central Processing Facility in 1993. All solid waste generated and collected within Medina County is delivered to this facility. The mixed municipal solid waste, which now totals approximately 140,000 tons per year, is then sorted in order to remove recyclable and organic material. In addition, yard waste is brought to the facility separately and is processed into a compost material which is made available to the public for a nominal fee. This facility is currently recovering approximately 30% of all the solid waste produced in Medina County thus diverting it from disposal in a landfill.

This facility was recently expanded, partially for the planned production of a refuse derived fuel (RDF) made from shredded paper and film plastic. The RDF can be burned, with a mixture of coal, in electric producing power plants. Producing and distributing the RDF could further reduce our dependance on landfills by another 30%. The RDF is an attractive alternative fuel in boilers or incinerators because it can help reduce sulphur emissions and is a less expensive fuel.

The Medina County Central Processing Facility received a silver award in a competition of other similar facilities located in North America.