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Safe Disposal
Ensuring the Landfill's Safety and Longevity for Franklin County's Residents and Businesses
Waste Stream Indicators and Population Growth
Franklin County residents and businesses continue to generate more waste each year. Since 2014, there has been a 34 percent increase. Thankfully, the amount of waste sent to the landfill has remained fairly steady, with only an 11 percent increase since 2014. Even though, as a community, we're creating more waste, we're also recycling, reusing or composting more than ever before. That explains why the amount of waste we have kept out of the landfill has increased 69 percent since 2014.
That increase is tempered by the fact that Central Ohio's population is expected to grow by 1 million people over the next 30 years. If nothing changes, that means we will have an additional 53,000 tons of material to deal with every year. If nothing changes, that means Franklin County will see a 25 percent increase in the amount of waste generated which is equivalent to an additional 800,000 tons of material. SWACO is taking aggressive steps to encourage waste reduction through reuse, reduction, recycling and composting programs. We've set a lofty waste diversion goal of 75 percent by 2032. But as steward of the landfill, a public asset, we also must continue to ensure that the landfill remains accessible to the communities we serve long into the future. With this in mind, we took steps last year to extend the life of the landfill by 30 more years.
25% increase -
additional 800,000 tons of material
additional 800,000 tons of material
Permit to Install Approval
In 2018, SWACO received approval from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for a "Permit to Install," which is basically permission to expand the landfill's capacity. The permit helped ensure that Franklin County residents and businesses have access to the county landfill for an additional 30 years. The publicly owned landfill is an asset to the local community because it keeps waste disposal costs low, ensures operations remain transparent and focused on environmental health and public safety, and allows the community to reap any benefits realized from the material sent to the landfill.
H5A Cell Construction Completed
Today's landfills are built in sections, or phases, called cells. R.B. Jergens Contractors began construction on our new cell, called Phase H5A, in late 2017. The $9.7 million project involved many components, including:
• excavation of over-burdened soils
• placement of structural fill to construct perimeter berms
• placement of an underdrain system
• installation of a 3-foot thick re-compacted soil liner layer
• installation of a 60-mil high density polyethylene textured geomembrane
• installation of a 16-ounce non-woven geotextile cushion layer
• placement of the leachate collection system
• installation of future gas collection lines
• placement of structural fill to construct perimeter berms
• placement of an underdrain system
• installation of a 3-foot thick re-compacted soil liner layer
• installation of a 60-mil high density polyethylene textured geomembrane
• installation of a 16-ounce non-woven geotextile cushion layer
• placement of the leachate collection system
• installation of future gas collection lines
The new cell, which encompasses 18.6 acres, was constructed using environmentally safe practices. Many parties were involved in the project, including Weaver Consultants, which provided construction quality assurance; Bair Goodie and Associates, which provided surveying support; and AECOM, which provided design engineering.
In December 2018, the Ohio EPA completed its project review and approved the construction certification report for Phase H5A. We'll begin construction on the separatory liner in 2019 and expect to have Phase H5A complete in the second quarter of the year.
This project would not be possible without a team effort from SWACO, the Ohio EPA, and many engineers and contractors. Together we are working to make Franklin County a safe and healthy community.
In December 2018, the Ohio EPA completed its project review and approved the construction certification report for Phase H5A. We'll begin construction on the separatory liner in 2019 and expect to have Phase H5A complete in the second quarter of the year.
This project would not be possible without a team effort from SWACO, the Ohio EPA, and many engineers and contractors. Together we are working to make Franklin County a safe and healthy community.
H5A Cell Facts
• Construction began in September 2017
• Waste placement began in December 2018
• Cell bottom is about 19 acres
• Total construction cost is $9.7 million
• Waste placement began in December 2018
• Cell bottom is about 19 acres
• Total construction cost is $9.7 million
2014 - Tipping Fee 100%
2018 - Tipping Fee 88%
2018 - Tipping Fee 88%
Partnership with Aria Energy
GAS 12%
In 2014, 100 percent of SWACO's operating revenue came from tipping fees, which is the cost paid per ton for disposing of material at the landfill. Since then, SWACO entered into an innovative public-private partnership with Aria Energy that provides additional revenue. Aria Energy captures the methane gas produced by decomposing material in the landfill, cleans it up and sells it, thereby putting it back into productive use. The sale of the gas generates royalties for SWACO. In 2018, those payments totaled more than $6 million and represented 12 percent of SWACO's annual revenue.
Diversifying Operating Revenue
Being a Good Neighbor
Last year, SWACO installed a new $1 million wheel wash to help landfill customers quickly and efficiently clean their vehicles before exiting the landfill. This keeps local roads clean and safe for other customers and nearby residents. It's just one way that SWACO works to be a good neighbor. We also give the local community $280,500 in host fees to keep litter picked up and roadways clean and to respond to calls from residents. The Franklin County Sanitary Landfill has been at its current location in Jackson Township for more than 30 years, and we believe it's important to support the community where we operate.
Model Landfill Transformation
SWACO owns a closed landfill off of I-71 on Jackson Pike. Last year, SWACO hired Arcadis to conduct a land feasibility study to determine viable uses for the site, which was used as a golf course until 2015. The study suggested that the best use of the site would be a solar project.
SWACO wants to turn this brownfield site into a source of productive, renewable energy that can also generate revenue. The revenue would be used to maintain the closed landfill and help keeping tipping fees competitive at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill.
In early 2019, SWACO issued a Request for Proposals for the ownership and operation of a solar project at Model Landfill that would provide renewable energy to surrounding businesses and communities in SWACO's district. SWACO expects to evaluate and select a project by the end of the year.
SWACO wants to turn this brownfield site into a source of productive, renewable energy that can also generate revenue. The revenue would be used to maintain the closed landfill and help keeping tipping fees competitive at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill.
In early 2019, SWACO issued a Request for Proposals for the ownership and operation of a solar project at Model Landfill that would provide renewable energy to surrounding businesses and communities in SWACO's district. SWACO expects to evaluate and select a project by the end of the year.
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