County approves application for waste transfer facility to replace Grayslake landfill
A waste transfer station proposed to replace the Countryside landfill in Grayslake when it closes in 2028 has passed review in Lake County and will move to the state for possible final approval.
The Lake County Board on Tuesday approved the local siting application for Meadowview Material Transfer Facility by Waste Management of Illinois Inc.
The approval is necessary before Waste Management can receive a permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, said Walter Willis, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.
Waste Management has operated Countryside for more than 30 years. Earlier this year, the company filed a 1,959-page application to build and operate a waste transfer station on 11 acres east of Route 83, immediately south of the landfill.
State law requires any party that wants to develop, build or operate a new pollution control facility to submit a written request and comprehensive application outlining how the plan complies with nine criteria, including the need for the facility.
Tuesday’s approval includes 13 special conditions, including specified operating hours for the transfer station as well as a recycling center planned as part of the project, Willis said.
“There was a very thorough discussion,” he added.
Meadowview would receive, consolidate and transfer a maximum of 1,000 tons per day of nonhazardous municipal waste. Operations would occur in a 31,540-square foot enclosed building.
The plan also includes a single-story metal building accepting recyclables, including electronics and other materials. That would replace Grayslake's popular drop off spot for electronics, clothing, textiles and food scraps, at Berry Avenue.
Willis said the locally approved siting application contains about 90% of what is required in the state permit application. Pending approval, the facility would take about 18 months to build, he said.
It would be the second transfer station in Lake County. The first was approved about 12 years ago at Route 120 and Porter Drive. It’s operated by Groot Industries Inc.
mzawislak@dailyherald.com