Environmental Progress - Winter 2005

Illinois EPA Releases Annual Data on Landfill Capacity

Disposal capacity available statewide at landfills in Illinois is sufficient for the next 12 years, a level considered good by national standards, according to the most recent data from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency contained in the annual Nonhazardous Solid Waste and Landfill Capacity Report.

The remaining capacity is calculated by dividing the volume of wastes disposed during 2003 by capacity remaining on January 1, 2004.

This information, along with detailed statistics by region on landscape waste compost facilities, waste transfer stations, waste generation and recycling and solid waste planning efforts are provided in Illinois EPA's 17th annual report, "Nonhazardous Solid Waste Management and Landfill Capacity in Illinois," for 2003.

The report also shows that overall the number of active landfills in the state remained virtually the same, at 50 in 2003, down from 51 in 2002. Among significant developments around the state, in July 2003, Sangamon Valley Landfill in Springfield re-opened after Illinois EPA approval was received for a 50-acre lateral expansion that added 5.1 million cubic yards of airspace for waste disposal. In October 2003, Milam Recycling and Disposal Facility in East St. Louis added a 4.75 million cubic yards expansion.

Other landfills that expanded or were constructed at the beginning of 2004 include Winnebago Reclamation Services, Rockford; Prairie View Recycling and Disposal Facility, Wilmington; Envirofil of Illinois Inc, Macomb; Indian Creek Landfill #2, Hopedale; and Perry Ridge, DuQuoin. While the number of active landfills in Illinois accepting waste remains good overall, regional capacity estimates vary significantly. Illinois EPA's Region 4, which includes counties in East Central Illinois, has about four remaining years. The Chicago Metropolitan Region had five years of estimated landfill capacity remaining at the end of 2003. However, much of the solid waste in the Chicago region is sent to facilities outside the region. In addition, citizens throughout the state continue recycling efforts to stretch out disposal capacity.

"The Illinois EPA continues to oversee the development and operation of modern sanitary landfills that meet the strictest disposal standards in history," said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano. "However, solid waste planning that includes recycling is becoming increasingly important."

Local recycling coordinators in Illinois report that 5.9 million tons of municipal waste was recycled in 2003. With total municipal waste of 16.1 million tons, this equates to a 25.3 percent recycling rate in the state, about the same as in 2002. Although parts of Illinois are rural and far from recycling markets, most local governments continue recycling education efforts, and collect recycling data from haulers as a necessary public service.

Additionally, in 2003 there were 91 active transfer stations and 38 active compost facilities that help manage the waste generated in Illinois.

Only 11 percent of solid wastes deposited in landfills in Illinois in 2003, or about 6.2 million gate cubic yards (1.9 million gate tons), came from 11 other states with more than 80 percent generated in Missouri. Although Illinois haulers also transported solid wastes to other states, they are not required to report this to the state of Illinois; therefore, the Illinois EPA cannot provide the volume exported.

The new report is available online or by writing to the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction and Compliance Section, P. O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276, or by calling 217-785-8604.