The Ohio EPA has approved final permits allowing WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County, formerly known as Sunny Farms, to proceed with plans to expand its municipal solid waste landfill located in Fostoria, Ohio. Ohio EPA approved construction to begin for 94 of the requested 218-acre expansion.
Inspections and Compliance History
Knowing this has been a passionate and significant point of interest for many families in and around Fostoria, Ohio EPA completed more than 150 inspections from December 2023 to August 2024 to observe sampling required by the facility’s existing ground water and explosive gas monitoring plans. Inspections of operations included rail waste offloading, daily cover, stormwater controls, gas treatment, and construction activities. Ohio EPA conducted this heightened number of inspections to provide the community with greater confidence that the landfill is operating in accordance with the environmental protections required by Ohio law and permit conditions.
Ohio EPA also performed joint inspections with the Seneca County General Health District and remains committed to cooperation with our local partners.
There are no outstanding violations at the facility.
Permitting Process
WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County applied for a solid waste permit to expand in May 2022, which includes relocation of 2 million cubic yards of waste from a historic, unlined area to a newly constructed, lined area.
WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County’s gas treatment facility, which was installed at the landfill to help address odor concerns, will treat all gas from the landfill, including gas from this expansion. This air pollution control equipment was installed following a Judicial Order that was established in 2019.
In compliance with Ohio law, the application includes plans to design and install:
- A composite liner system
- Leachate collection and management system
- Surface water controls
- Composite final cap system
- Ground water monitoring
- Explosive gas monitoring
- Financial assurance for closure and post-closure care
- Air pollution control system that removes sulfur from the landfill gas
Ohio EPA’s permitting process includes significant public engagement, including public notice for issuance of the draft permit, a public information session and hearing, a public comment period, and a response to comments.
Ohio’s solid waste landfill regulations are more stringent than federal rules, and Ohio EPA will continue to ensure that WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County’s landfill operates in compliance with Ohio’s environmental laws and regulations, permits, and orders, including monitoring and reporting requirements contained in the new permits.
The requested expansion requires separate permits from the divisions of Materials and Waste Management, Air Pollution Control, and Surface Water (Permit No. 2IN00136*ED and Authorization). Ohio EPA reviewed the permit applications to ensure the proposed expansion meets the standards established by Ohio’s environmental laws and regulations.
Issuance of final permits can be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of issuing a final action; anyone considering filing an appeal should contact ERAC at 614.466.8950 for more information.
