Overview
WM - Countryside Landfill in Grayslake, Illinois, is an operational solid waste facility managing municipal waste under US EPA regulations. It serves Lake County with modern landfill practices.
WM - Countryside Landfill is an operational solid waste facility located at 31725 IL-83 in Grayslake, Illinois, within Lake County. Operated by Waste Management, one of the largest waste services companies in the United States, this landfill plays a key role in managing municipal solid waste for the region. The facility is part of a network of landfills that support waste disposal needs across the state. As a landfill, the facility operates under the US EPA's RCRA Subtitle D regulations for municipal solid waste landfills, which govern design, operation, and closure standards. It also complies with Clean Air Act requirements for landfill gas management, including gas collection and control systems to reduce methane emissions. The facility's NAICS codes (221112, 221210, 562212) indicate involvement in electric power generation, natural gas distribution, and solid waste landfill operations, suggesting potential landfill gas-to-energy capabilities. The landfill serves the growing population of Lake County and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, providing essential waste disposal infrastructure. Its environmental significance lies in managing waste while mitigating impacts through leachate management, groundwater monitoring, and gas collection. The facility contributes to local waste diversion goals and supports the circular economy by potentially recovering energy from landfill gas.
Environmental context
Landfills in Illinois, including WM - Countryside Landfill, operate in a region with significant groundwater resources and proximity to the Great Lakes. Key environmental considerations include methane leakage from landfill gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas, and leachate management to prevent groundwater contamination. The facility's location in a suburban area also raises community concerns about traffic, odor, and air quality. Regulatory oversight under RCRA Subtitle D and state-level programs ensures monitoring and mitigation of these impacts.
Frequently asked questions
WM - Countryside Landfill is located at 31725 IL-83 in Grayslake, Illinois, United States, within Lake County.
As a municipal solid waste landfill, WM - Countryside Landfill accepts household, commercial, and non-hazardous industrial waste, subject to local and federal regulations.
Many modern landfills in the US, including those operated by Waste Management, are equipped with landfill gas collection systems to capture methane for energy recovery or flaring, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The landfill operates under US EPA RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills and Clean Air Act regulations for landfill gas emissions, along with Illinois state environmental rules.
Leachate is collected through a liner system and either treated on-site or transported to a wastewater treatment facility, in compliance with groundwater protection standards.
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