Thousands of Gallons of Potentially Hazardous Waste Spilled From Win Waste Innovations Landfill

SENECA COUNTY, OH | A significant environmental incident has come to light in Seneca County, where a leachate spill occurred at WIN Waste Innovations’ landfill facility. The spill was reported to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday afternoon, with the Seneca County General Health District being informed the following day. However, the public was not made aware of the incident until Thursday, raising concerns about the transparency and timeliness of communication regarding potential environmental hazards.

Leachate, a potentially hazardous liquid that forms when water percolates through waste materials, leaked from a collection tank near Township Road 108. The substance flowed into a ditch leading to a sedimentation pond on the landfill’s property. To mitigate the spread, the pond’s outlet was plugged to contain the leachate. Estimates from the EPA and WIN Waste suggest that the volume of the spill ranges from 5,000 to tens of thousands of gallons. Remediation efforts are ongoing, focusing on the removal of leachate from the affected ditch and pond. Water sampling is scheduled to occur after the physical cleanup of soil and water is completed. The cause of the leak is currently under investigation.

The delay in public notification has sparked concern among residents and environmental advocates. Prompt communication is crucial in environmental incidents to ensure public safety and maintain trust between corporations, regulatory bodies, and the community. The three-day gap between the spill and public disclosure has led to questions about the protocols and decision-making processes of both WIN Waste Innovations and the involved regulatory agencies.

This incident is not the first time WIN Waste Innovations has faced scrutiny. In December 2024, the Seneca County Board of Health issued a notice of intent to deny the company’s 2025 operating license due to multiple noncompliance issues. The Board’s resolution cited that WIN Waste had falsified inspection reports and maintained an internal log noting ongoing erosion and ponding issues, which was not submitted to the Seneca County General Health District or the Ohio EPA. The provided logs omitted these critical issues, indicating a potential attempt to mislead regulatory bodies.

Furthermore, the Board highlighted that WIN Waste failed to protect the landfill’s intermediate cover from erosion or water damage and did not employ best management practices for erosion control as required by Ohio Administrative Code. The company also neglected to control odors, violating the landfill’s Title V permit limits on hydrogen sulfide emissions, and did not conduct daily inspections of loaded and unloaded rail cars for leaks or spills, as mandated by its 2023 and 2024 licenses.

These violations underscore a pattern of noncompliance and raise serious concerns about the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety. The recent leachate spill and the delay in public notification further exacerbate these concerns, suggesting systemic issues within the company’s operational and reporting practices.

As remediation efforts continue, the Seneca County General Health District has committed to monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of nearby residents and the environment. The community awaits further information on the investigation’s findings and any potential actions to be taken against WIN Waste Innovations in response to this incident.

     

Despite the fraud, operational failures, and WIN Waste Innovations’ continued operation without a county-issued license, former Seneca County Commissioner Ben Nutter has positioned himself as a staunch advocate for the landfill company. During his tenure as commissioner, Nutter accepted campaign contributions from the landfill operator, raising serious ethical concerns about his loyalties. Rather than standing up for the interests of Seneca County residents, he facilitated corporate interests that have repeatedly violated environmental regulations and misled the public. Now, as the public face of WIN Waste Innovations, his actions appear to confirm what many have suspected—that he prioritized political and personal gain over the well-being of the county he was elected to serve. His role in this ongoing environmental and regulatory crisis further erodes public trust in both corporate accountability and local governance.

The Fostoria Free Press will continue to monitor this situation and bring light to future incident. Unlike other “news” agencies, the FFP wont be paid off.