Press Release - Tuesday, March 14, 2006
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Landfill capacity in Illinois increased significantly with 18 years of disposal space remaining
SPRINGFIELD -- Disposal capacity available statewide at landfills in Illinois is sufficient for the next 18 years, up from 12 years in the previous report. This level is considered very good by national standards, according to recently released 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 2004 (53.8 million gate cubic yards) by the capacity remaining on January 1, 2005 (986.5 million gate cubic yards). This results in a capacity gain of 46.2 percent for 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 18th annual report, "Nonhazardous Solid Waste Management and Landfill Capacity in Illinois," for 2004.
The report shows that the overall the number of active landfills was 52. Two new landfills opened in 2004: Prairie View Landfill, Wilmington and Perry Ridge Landfill, DuQuoin. Six landfills that expanded and another, Indian Creek Landfill #2, Hopedale, that upgraded, further increased capacity. According to the U.S. EPA, 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. In addition, citizens throughout the state continue recycling efforts to stretch out disposal capacity.
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.
"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."
With the delegated inspection program, Illinois EPA partners with local agencies allowing them to conduct inspections of landfills and illegal dumping on behalf of the Agency.
Local recycling coordinators in Illinois report that more than 8.6 million tons of municipal waste was recycled in 2004. Total municipal waste of 23.7 million tons equates to over 36 percent recycling rate 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 to 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 is available for viewing or downloading on the Illinois EPA web site at: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/landfill-capacity/2004/index.html. You may also request a printed copy 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.
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