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The remaining landfill capacity is calculated by dividing the volume
of wastes disposed of during 2004 (53.8 million gate cubic yards) by
the capacity remaining on Jan. 1, 2005 (986.5 million gate cubic
yards). This results in a capacity gain of 46.2 percent for 2004.
This information and detailed statistics by region on landscape
waste compost facilities, waste transfer stations, waste generation,
recycling and solid waste planning efforts are provided in Illinois
EPA's 18th annual report, "Nonhazardous Solid Waste and Landfill
Capacity Report," for 2004.
The report shows that the overall number of active landfills was
52. Two new landfills opened in 2004: Prairie View Landfill at
Wilmington and Perry Ridge Landfill at Du Quoin. Capacity was
further increased with six landfills that expanded and another,
Indian Creek Landfill 2 at Hopedale, that upgraded. According to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average number of
landfills per state is 35.
While the number of active landfills in Illinois accepting waste
remains good overall, regional capacity estimates vary
significantly. Illinois EPA's Region 2, the Chicago metropolitan
region, has about 11 remaining years. However, much of the solid
waste in the Chicago region is sent to facilities outside the
region.
This contrasts with Region 7, southern Illinois, which has a
calculated capacity of 58 years. This is due to the opening of the
Perry Ridge Landfill and the expansion of Southern Illinois Regional
and the Saline County landfills.
In addition, citizens throughout the state continue recycling
efforts to stretch out disposal capacity.
"While there are fewer landfills than there once was, modern
sanitary landfills are constructed and operated to meet the
strictest standards in history," said Illinois EPA Director Doug
Scott. "Illinois EPA also features an efficient and effective method
of inspecting these landfills through its regional offices and the
delegated inspection program."
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 With the delegated inspection program, Illinois EPA partners with
local agencies, allowing them on behalf of the agency to conduct
inspections of landfills and illegal dumping.
Local recycling coordinators in Illinois report that more than
8.6 million tons of municipal waste was recycled in 2004. With total
municipal waste of 23.7 million tons, this equates to a recycling
rate of over 36 percent in the state, a slight improvement from
previous years. 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 2004 there were 98 active transfer stations and
40 active compost facilities that help manage the waste generated in
Illinois.
Only 13 percent of solid wastes deposited in landfills in
Illinois in 2004 came from 11 other states, with over 75 percent of
that 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.
Illinois EPA's seven regional offices, 18 delegated counties, the
Ambraw Valley Solid Waste Agency and the city of Chicago have been
given 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 will be available for viewing or downloading at
http://www.epa.state.il.us/
land/landfill-capacity/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] |
