Illinois EPA Report: Landfill Capacity Continues to Increase

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's latest "Non-hazardous Waste Management and Landfill Capacity in Illinois" report shows an all-time high remaining landfill capacity in Illinois.

Statewide landfill capacity increased to 749.3 million cubic yards as of Jan. 1, 1999. New landfills and expansions during 1998 added a potential 147.1 million cubic yards capacity last year, of which 118.6 million was attributable to seven new landfills and 28.5 million cubic yards to expansions at four existing landfills.

During 1998, Illinois landfills reported receiving 44.8 million cubic yards of waste, about 10 percent more than in 1997, but still less than the 46.1 million cubic yards accepted during 1996.

"The latest report shows a continuation of the same trend as in recent years--overall available landfill capacity continues to increase and we estimate it is sufficient to handle the state's requirements for landfill disposal of solid waste for the next 17 years," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner.

However, Director Skinner noted the report also shows that availability of landfill capacity varies substantially throughout the state. The Chicago metropolitan area, for example, with about 66 percent of the state's population, has only 6.8 years of remaining capacity at current usage rates.

The region's landfills in 1998 received 16 million cubic yards of waste in 1998 but two of the highest volume facilities closed in October 1998 and March 1999 respectively.

In contrast, the Northwestern Illinois and Peoria/Quad Cities regions, for example, each have an estimated 38.5 years of landfill capacity remaining at current usage rates, the report says.

Director Skinner noted one of the reasons for the expansion of landfill space is the continued positive recycling trend. The amount of municipal waste recycled jumped another 6 percent in 1998, and the overall percentage of recycled solid waste statewide was estimated at 28 percent for 1998. "This increase in recycling is a tribute to the hard work of our citizens, as well as increased awareness of the value of recycling created by local solid waste agencies, counties and municipalities."

The new report shows that five landfills accounted for 41 percent of the total waste accepted during 1998. The biggest one, Livingston Landfill near Pontiac, alone accepted more than 5.3 million cubic yards in 1998.

The report includes detailed information on landfills and solid waste management for each permitted facility and by region.

This 12th annual report may be requested from Illinois EPA Bureau of Land, Solid Waste Management Section, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, Ill. 62794-9276, or by calling Ellen Gambach at 217-785-8604.