Permanent Recycling Locations
Recycling Guide
Special Collection Events
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Purpose & Contact Information Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Applications & Instructions Ordinances & Other Resources Related Links News, Events & Projects Prairie View Landfill and Recycling:
Background
The 1991 Will County Solid Waste Management Plan identified the need for a landfill. Such need was carried along in the 1996 update of the Solid Waste Management Plan
Through the efforts of a Citizens Planning Committee, 4 land uses were designated for the redevelopment of the former Joliet Arsenal, declared excess property in 1993
Public Law 104-106 authorized the Federal Government to provide 455 acres of the Arsenal land to Will County for a landfill. Other designated land uses include the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Abraham Lincoln National Veteran’s Cemetery, and two industrial parks
Waste Management won the County bid to build and operate the facility and a contract was signed in 1997
The Will County Board approved the siting of the landfill in 1999
Several entities appealed the decision of the County Board at the Illinois Pollution Control Board level and the Appellate Court level
All rulings on the appeals upheld the County Board’s decision
Will County received the Deed for the 455 acres in 2002
The Prairie View Landfill received authorization from the IEPA to begin operating on January 16, 2004.
Benefits of Landfill Contract
Low disposal prices for Will County citizens
$ 1,000,000 initiation fee to County
Host fee to County
Oversight costs paid
Payments to Wilmington School District, Will County Forest Preserve District, Florence Township Town and Road Funds, Wilmington Fire Protection District, Joliet Community College District 525, and Wilmington Public Library District
Establishment of Environmental/Solid Waste Education Center
Free Household Hazardous Waste and one Electronics Collection Events annually
Free disposal for Will County Governmental offices
Recycling drop-off facilities at landfill site – profits to support not-for-profit organizations
Prairie View Basics
Total acreage of property = 455 acres
Total facility acreage = 408 acres
Total waste footprint = 223 acres
Peak elevation = 795 feet (~ 150 feet above current topography)
Will accept general non-hazardous municipal solid waste, demolition and construction waste, and non-hazardous permitted special waste
Leachate collection system
Composite liner (60 ml HDPE with highly impermeable clay)
Groundwater monitoring system
Surface water management system
Gas management system
Road improvements to South Arsenal Road and Island City Industrial Park
Following closure, compatible end use with Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
