News Releases - 1997

Landfill Capacity Is Sufficient for 10 Years

Springfield, Ill. -- Landfill capacity in Illinois is sufficient for at least 10 years, according to the latest data from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Agency recently issued its ninth annual report, "Available Disposal Capacity for Solid Waste in Illinois." The 172-page document covering calendar year 1995 focuses on nonhazardous solid-waste landfills. It projects landfills' remaining lifetimes using data certified by registered professional engineers.

The report also includes information on waste transfer stations, landscape waste composting, incineration, waste generation and recycling.

During 1995, Illinois landfills accepted 46.8 million cubic yards of nonhazardous solid wastes. This volume has remained remarkably constant from 1987 through 1995, a period that saw landfill numbers plummet from 146 to 58, while their available capacity soared from 274 million to 474 million cubic yards.

The report details waste-management activities in each of seven Illinois EPA administrative regions, and lists the volumes of wastes landfilled in the 42 Illinois counties having such facilities. Nearly 91 percent of nonhazardous solid wastes landfilled during 1995 were generated in-state. Out-of-state wastes accounted for only 4.3 million cubic yards, and 74 of every 100 cubic yards originated in Missouri.

Regional maps identify each landfill and note the year each is expected to reach capacity. These projections, completed by the landfills themselves, assume no new capacity will ever be added.

Waste handling in Illinois was assisted by 66 transfer stations during 1995, with 51 of these facilities being concentrated in Cook County. The state's 68 permitted composting facilities and one nonhazardous solid-waste incinerator together accepted just 2.5 percent of nonhazardous solid wastes disposed of during the year.

New to this report is a summary explaining that only host counties or municipalities can decide if a site is suitable for development of a new pollution control facility. By law, the Illinois EPA's review of a proposed facility's permit application is restricted solely to assessing design and engineering considerations.

The report features six graphs, 12 maps and 32 tables, and includes 12 appendices offering minutiae ranging from landfill footprints, elevations and tipping fees, to percentages of municipal wastes recycled in each of 102 counties. Copies are available by writing to the Illinois EPA's Solid Waste Management Section, 2200 Churchill Road, Springfield, Ill. 62794-9276, or by calling 217-785-8604.