Amid the tragedy of the weekend’s tornado and heavy storms, Northwest Ohioans have begun the difficult process of cleaning up the debris from their homes, businesses and public buildings.

As part of the process, Ohio EPA and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency are working with local officials to guide communities in safe handling and disposal of debris and wastes so that cleanup can be completed and reconstruction can begin as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible.

Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski will visit Millbury today (Wednesday, June 9),to survey the storm-damaged area and to meet with Ohio EPA staff to discuss debris disposal efforts. Director Korleski will be at the Lake Township Fire Station #2 at noon. The fire station is located at 1911 Ayers Rd., Millbury.

County emergency management agencies will offer instructions on clearing and staging debris for disposal.  Most waste can be taken to a licensed municipal solid waste landfill. Tree limbs and other vegetation may be able to be disposed at compost facilities or chipped and used as mulch.  Some waste, when segregated, may qualify as construction and demolition debris (C&DD) which can be disposed in a licensed municipal solid waste landfill or a licensed C&DD landfill. Examples of construction and demolition debris are brick, stone, mortar, asphalt, lumber, wallboard, glass, roofing, metal, piping, fixtures, electrical wiring, heating equipment, insulation, carpeting, railroad ties, utility poles and mobile homes.

It is generally illegal to burn debris. Debris from homes and other buildings may contain a number of hazardous materials including asbestos, plastics and other petroleum-based products and chemically treated woods and fibers. When burned, these materials emit toxic fumes that can be significant public health hazards.

Open burning is legal under limited circumstances. However, to burn a prohibited material or set a fire in a restricted area, written permission is required from Ohio EPA. This may take two weeks. (Necessary forms and additional information are online at: www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/general/openburning.aspx.)

For additional information, contact the local emergency management agency or Ohio EPA’s Northwest District Office in Bowling Green at 1-800-686-6930.

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