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The remaining capacity is calculated by
dividing the volume of wastes disposed of during 2003 by capacity
remaining on Jan. 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."
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 reopened 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-yard expansion.
Other Illinois landfills that
expanded or were constructed at the beginning of 2004 are 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."
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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 Illinois EPA's seven regional
offices and 18 counties, the Ambraw Valley Solid Waste Agency, and
the city of Chicago have been delegated the authority to inspect
landfills, transfer stations and compost sites in their
jurisdictions, providing a needed service to the citizens of
Illinois.
The new report is available for
viewing or downloading at
http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/landfill-capacity/2003/index.html.
To request a printed copy, write to the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction
and Compliance Section, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276;
or call (217) 785-8604.
[Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency news release]
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