Athens, Ohio, board approves formation of council for solid waste collection

The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District board of directors has approved the formation of a Council of Government to address the issue of solid waste management in southeast Ohio, reports The Athens Messenger.

The regional council will be tasked with implementing a solid waste collection and recycling processing plan for the region. The council will be made up of government entities that enter into waste contracts, such as cities, villages and townships, and will focus on solid waste, composting and recycling issues.

The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District, composed of members of the Athens and Hocking county commissions, is responsible for planning and implementing the oversight of a 15-year comprehensive management plan to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste generated in the district.

“Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District elected to explore and form a Council of Government in order to provide solid waste services for the Athens-Hocking District,” Jane Forrest Redfern, Athens-Hocking District director, tells the Messenger, saying the council is asking regional communities to join.

In Ohio, according to the Ohio Revised Code, a regional council of government is a governing body of any two or more counties, municipal corporations, townships, special districts, school districts or other political subdivisions that have entered into agreement with each other. Regional councils of government are considered public agencies.

In November, the city of Athens announced it was awarding its solid waste collection contract with Rumpke rather than longtime service provider Athens-Hocking Recycling Centers (AHRC) after Rumpke outbid AHRC for the contract.

During a city council meeting, City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone noted his concern about awarding the contract to Rumpke, and his fear that it would help the company establish a monopoly in the region. If nearby Nelsonville opts for Rumpke as well, he expressed, it could put AHRC out of business.

In response, county leaders set out to establish the Council of Government before the city of Nelsonville awards its waste management contract, which is currently out for bid.