Food Waste Diversion
State Of Ohio
Terrie TerMeer, Assistant Chief
Division of Materials and Waste Management
OHIO EPA
Since 2007…
Ohio has worked to create an infrastructure within the
State which allows for the collection, transportation,
processing of food waste material and create a viable
market for a variety of end products.
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Benefits of Investment
Developed new relationships & collaborations
More efficient operations
Increased employment
Greater tax generation for the State of Ohio
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Since 2007
Class II facilities have increased
Transportation/hauling options have improved
Food generators have been identified & engaged
Processing systems & capacity issues addressed
Local support of food waste diversion projects continues to grow
Stakeholders worked together to overcome the regulatory
challenges
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Where we are today
27 Class II Facilities
Existing waste haulers expanding services and changing how
they manage solid waste
New haulers entering the marketplace with total integrated
approach
Anaerobic digesters & other technologies, processing services
& capacities being considered
Five curbside food waste collection programs – others being
considered
Ohio Grocers Foundation & Ohio Food Scrap Recovery
Network
New regulatory framework & statutory solutions
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Partnership with Ohio Grocers
Ohio Food Scrap Recovery Networks
Akron, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Logan, & Columbus
Bringing together all interested parties
Connecting the dots - logistics of getting it done
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Perfect Storm…
More food generators wanting to participate
Ohio’s transportation and utility systems allow food waste
processors multiple options
Employment opportunities for seasonal and permanent
workforce
Infrastructure growing (compost/digesters)
The State of Ohio views food waste diversion as a valuable
waste management strategy
There is grant money available to invest in new & expansion
projects
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3/19/2016
Compost Exchange/Purely American
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2013 Market Development Grantee
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Equipment purchase
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yard waste and food waste from residents and businesses
located in the cities of Athens, The Plains, and Nelsonville
(Athens and Hocking Counties) along with horse manure from
6 -10 nearby horse facilities.
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3/19/2016
Compost Exchange/Purely American
TCE has been working closely with local and regional partners
such as AHSWD, Live Healthy Appalachia, Athens County
Chamber of Commerce, Rural Action, and the Appalachia
Ohio Zero Waste Initiative.
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3/19/2016
City of Huron Curbside Collection
One of five in Ohio
Population served: 7149; 3100 households
Participation rate of 75%
2011 food scrap collection: 145,840 lbs. or about 72 tons
Co-mingled with yard waste (LOGISTICS)
Cost of service: $55 per quarter for weekly trash, yard waste
and food scraps and recyclables
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3/19/2016
Greater Columbus Convention Center
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As part of funding provided by Alcoa Foundation, the
Pennsylvania Resources Council was able to lend their
expertise to special events in Ohio that were looking to
improve and/ or augment recycling and waste reduction
programs
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3/19/2016
They recommended ways to…
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implement zero waste for EcoSummit (68% diversion)
expand/ improve existing recycling efforts
identify additional materials to target for recycling/diversion
SMG, Aramark, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
(MORPC), Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO),
Ohio EPA, and Eartha Limited were all represented at the
meeting.
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3/19/2016
Compost Rule Updates
Effective April 2, 2012
New Rules
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Exempt composting
activities less than three
hundred square feet
Past Rules
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All food scraps composting
activities regulated
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Financial assurance
required for food scraps
composting facilities
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Testing required
Does not require financial
assurance when closure
cost estimate less than
$3,500
Does not require testing for
compost product when used
onsite
Compost Rule Updates
Effective April 2, 2012
New Rules
Past Rules
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One definition for “food
scraps”
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Processed, unprocessed,
and dairy/meat
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Define compostable service
ware and containers
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Only defined biodegradable
containers
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Incorporate food scraps into
process by end of business
day
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No timeframe for
incorporation
Kroger – Ohio Grocers Association
Pilot : July – Oct. 2008
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24 stores
654 tons diverted
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September 2012
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124 Stores
8600 tons diverted
3/19/2016
Contact Information
Division of Materials and Waste Management
Materials Conservation and Re-Use
Terrie TerMeer, Assistant Chief
Telephone : (614) 728-0017
terrie.termeer@epa.state.oh.us
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