In 1988, the State of Ohio, as did many states, looked to address its solid waste management issues. Facing Ohio, as well as the nation, were concerns of declining landfill capacity, increasing amounts of disposed waste, minimal amount of recycling, older landfill methods and open dumps, little or no management of tires and no plans to address future needs.

Citizens, government and the private sector forged a coalition to create comprehensive solid waste program for Ohio. The resulting legislation is Ohio House Bill 592 (HB592).

HB 592 required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prepare a Solid Waste Plan which addresses eight specific mandates:

Reduce reliance on landfills.

Establish objectives for solid waste reduction, minimization, reuse and recycling.

Establish restrictions on types of wastes disposed in landfills for which there are alternative methods.

Establish criteria for locating solid waste facilities.

Examine alternative methods for ashes resulting from burning municipal solid waste.

Establish a strategy for waste tires.

Establish plans for legislation to promote markets for and governmental use of products made from recycled materials.

Establish a program for managing household hazardous waste.