Solid Waste Management District (SWMD)
The Green Team

Department Head
 Jim Petuch

Mission Statement:

The Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District – Green Team, provides cost-effective and environmentally-sound solid waste reduction and litter prevention programs that benefit residents, businesses, and industries in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of all Mahoning County residents.

What We Do:

The Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District is under the authority of the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners who actively supports the goals of the program. The District is one of 52 in Ohio created as a result of the passage of H.B. 592 in 1988.  Each district was established with the mission of reducing reliance on landfills and incinerators through the establishment of reuse and recycling programs. This is accomplished by developing an integrated solid waste management system that is implemented in an environmentally sound, technically feasible, cost effective and publicly acceptable manner. The District has a Solid Waste Plan that serves as the guide for all waste reduction programs and fiscal matters. The Plan is accessible on this website, and as per the Ohio Revised Code, the process to update it will commence during the fourth quarter of 2010. The updated Plan will be implemented starting in 2013.

In addition to commonly recycled items such as newspaper, magazines, brochures, metal food and beverage cans, and glass bottles and plastic containers; the District provides opportunities for yard waste composting, special drives for appliances, electronics, and tires, and an annual household hazardous waste event. The District has an excellent educational outreach program that involves classroom presentations, environmental workshops, public displays and exciting contests. The District has a unique partnership with Youngstown State University, and provides funds for their nationally recognized recycling and re:CREATE programs which include a popular Materials Exchange. 

The District is attempting to eliminate litter and illegal dumping by utilizing law enforcement and educational tools. We encourage residents to participate in community clean ups and report acts of littering and illegal dumping by calling 330-740-2060. A wide variety of media marketing tools are used to extend our message. The District partners with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department to provide work crews that collect litter, maintain recycling sites, and assist during special recycling events. It also provides significant funding to the Mahoning County Board of Health for landfill inspections and water testing, the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office for the maintenance of county roads near landfills, the Emergency Management Office for solid waste emergencies, and the Prosecutor’s Office for legal assistance. One of the most important partnerships is with the township trustees, and city and village mayors and council members. The District provides annual recycling assistance grants so that the community recycling sites are well maintained by locally designated recycling coordinators. They are the foundation of the District’s programs as they serve as community ambassadors for recycling.

Throughout this website, viewers will see the multitude of programs offered that include FREE curbside recycling for over 80,000 residents provided by Allied/Republic Waste Services at no cost to the District. The District provides 39 community drop-off recycling sites; special recycling drives; a business recycling program with free solid waste assessments; Christmas tree recycling; household battery recycling through the Mahoning County Public Libraries; the YSU re:CREATE and Materials Exchange; community reuse events; grant drafting, submission, and if awarded – administration for public/private recycling ventures; and many more. The District is fortunate to have a very active Policy Committee that serves in an advisory capacity, and the Board of Commissioners and Administrator who support waste reduction initiatives as recommended by the Director. The District has gone from a very low recycling rate in 2004 to over 25% in the past few years, and the goal is to continue to reduce solid waste in order to protect the health and safety of all Mahoning County residents.

Who Benefits:

All Mahoning County residents, businesses, schools, institutions, and industries.

Revenue Sources:

Non-General Fund – Landfill Disposal Fees and State and Federal Grants