Monday, June 04, 2007

 

Passing the smell test

The Akron Beacon Journal

PIKE TWP - Republic Waste Services of Ohio is anxious to cap the controversy emanating from its landfill in southern Stark County. To do so, the company has devised a plan to cover 88 acres of the 258-acre Countywide Recycling & Disposal Facility in Pike Township with a synthetic liner, in effect, snuffing out smoldering underground fires. The fires have triggered the odor problem that has afflicted neighboring communities for months.

Will Flower, a spokesman for parent company Republic Services Inc. of Florida, is hopeful the Ohio EPA will approve the plan. Engineers hired by Republic rejected two alternatives, excavating the 88 acres or injecting chemicals to put out the fires, as too costly or too risky. As it is, capping part of the landfill would take an estimated three to six years compared to at least 10 years for excavation....Read more.