The state won't waive a deadline for closing the ELDA landfill in Winton Hills, which means getting rid of Cincinnati's garbage will be more expensive starting Jan. 5.
In another action by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), the agency plans to halt Rumpke's scrap tire recycling throughout Southern Ohio - but not for months or possibly years.
ELDA accepts all of Cincinnati's garbage. This year, OEPA said dumping must end by Jan. 5, 1998. Waste Management Inc. asked for an extension to Feb. 5, 1999, for the dump at 5701 Este Ave. It included a request to pile garbage 12 feet above the existing landfill.
Although Cincinnati officials have said ELDA's closure won't disrupt weekly residential garbage pickup, costs will rise as trucks travel to more distant landfills to unload.
Cincinnati officials have proposed two contingency agreements, with Bavarian Trucking Co. Inc., a Kentucky firm that does business in Cincinnati, and the Rumpke landfill in Colerain Township.
Beth Gianforcaro, an OEPA spokeswoman, said the 26-year-old ELDA facility does not meet modern health - environment protection criteria.
After the final truck dumps its garbage at ELDA, the company must cap the site with clay, soil and grass to minimize rain and snow seeping in and oozing out as contaminated water.
Waste Management must monitor the site for 30 years, correct any leakage, and comply with OEPA orders to control seepage of methane gas from decomposing waste.
Tuesday, David Bower, division president at ELDA, said Waste Management had no plan to appeal the latest rejection.
At Rumpke, OEPA said it will deny registrations required for continued tire recycling because the company failed to operate in "substantial compliance with environmental laws and regulations."
John Leach, a spokesman for Rumpke, said OEPA's letter outlining its intentions focused less on tire recycling than on broader unresolved issues and unpaid late fees.
Mr. Leach said Rumpke has asked for a hearing.
Other waste operations are unaffected and Rumpke may continue scrap tire collection, shipping and recycling while it contests OEPA's plan.
It could be months or years before the agency's final word.
Facilities covered by the proposal include the shredder operation in Colerain and transfer sites in Butler, Brown and Jackson counties. Whole tires have been banned from Ohio landfills since March 1996, and shredded or processed tire scraps since last March.
Rumpke recycles 750,000 tires a year, Mr. Leach said. Some shredded tires are sold to firms to burn as fuel.
