The Solid Waste Division of the Delaware General Health District licenses and inspects the solid waste facilities within Delaware County. The facilities include the transfer station, compost facilities, landfills, and large generators of infectious waste. The inspections insure compliance with the respective rules.

Two landfills in Delaware County, The Butterfield Landfill in Genoa Township and The Oxford Landfill in Oxford Township are monitored twice a year for explosive gas (methane). This is required due to the close proximity of houses to the landfill. Methane gas occurs naturally from the decomposition of organics. Methane can travel from the landfill through voids and cracks in the ground.  Since methane is heavier than air it will accumulate in low places such as basements.  If it accumulates to an elevated concentration it can become explosive.  Currently there are no sustained readings at either landfill.

The landfills, transfer station, and compost facility have restrictions on the type of materials they can accept. None are allowed to accept hazardous materials. Unannounced quarterly (minimum) inspections help to assure correct operation. The rules and regulations pertaining to solid waste disposal facilities are proglumated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). The Ohio EPA surveys the health department annually to assure that we are implementing the program correctly.

Large generators of infectious waste are inspected annually.  A large generator is defined as producing 50 lbs. or more of infectious wastes a month.  Large generators must register with the Ohio EPA.  During the inspection storage, handling, and disposal of the wastes are reviewed.  Large generators must either treat their waste onsite or have a registered transporter transport the waste to a licensed treatment facility.  Shipping papers must accompany all waste being transported.  Shipping papers are a four(4) part form (one copy for the transporter and the treatment facility, and two for the generator, one at pick up and one returned after treatment by the treatment facility).  The generator must keep the shipping papers for a minimum of three years.  Currently all large generators of infectious waste utilize transporters and offsite licensed treatment facilities.

This division also inspects solid waste related nuisance complaints. Complaints can range from open burning of garbage to illegal dumping of tires or solid waste.

"Open Burning" of solid waste degrades the air quality.  Harmful toxins may also be released. Open burning produces unsightly and odorous smoke.  For these reasons open burning is prohibited.  "Open burning" is defined as burning of solid waste in a type of chamber or vessel not approved by the director of Ohio EPA under section 3734.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. 

"Open Dumping" of Solid Waste means the final disposition of solid waste on or into the ground at any place other than a solid waste facility operated in accordance with chapter 3734.03 of the Ohio Revised Code.  Open Dumping can contaminate surface and ground water, it also creates food and harborage for vectors.  As well as being unsightly and odorous.

"Solid waste" is any unwanted residual solid or semi-solid material as a result from industrial, commercial, agriculture, and community operations, excluding materials from earth or materials from, construction and demolition to other substances that are not harmful to public health.  Solid waste includes, but is not limited to garbage, tires, combustible and not-combustible materials, street dir, and debris.  Solid waste does not include any material that is an infectious waste or a hazardous waste.

Delaware County currently has only one compost facility that accepts materials from the public. It is Price Farms locate at 4838 Warrensburg Road, Delaware. For a list of acceptable materials, please visit their web site here.

Compost facilities are classified by the materials they can accept. A class IV facility is the minimal classification, it can accept yard waste only. A class III facility can accept yard waste, agricultural plant materials and animal waste only. Class I and II may accept many different types of materials, however some require special approval from the director of Ohio EPA. The difference between a class I and a class II is a class I can accept non-source separate materials (trash/garbage) to compost. A class I final product can only be landfilled. Class II, III, and IV final products can be sold as a soil amender, mixed with fill dirt, or mixed into mulch.

Class II, III, and IV compost facilities are required to maintain certain temperatures to reduce pathogens. They must also test the final product for items such as pathogens, lead, mercury, and arsenic. Records must be kept on temperature and all final product testing. Facilities must also control run off water to reduce the possibility of water contamination, dust, vectors, and odors.

Premise Sanitation/Refuse Hauler Rules

For more information on Solid Waste Disposal, Contact Doug Sams, R.S., Program Manager at 740.203.2064, or by email

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