Waste transfer station proposed to replace Countryside landfill operations

The review process to replace the Countryside landfill in Grayslake with a waste transfer station is set to begin.

Waste Management of Illinois, which has operated Countryside for more than 30 years, recently submitted an application to Lake County requesting local siting approval for the Meadowview Material Transfer Facility.

The application starts the clock on a lengthy review and approval process for the facility intended to replace Countryside, which is scheduled to close in 2028.

“This is the same thing that’s been brewing for awhile and now it’s coming to a head,” said Walter Willis, executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County.

Waste Management officials nearly two years ago presented a “high-level view” of the plan to the Lake County Board's planning, building, zoning and environment committee.

Meadowview would receive, consolidate and transfer on average 500 tons and a maximum of 1,000 tons per day of nonhazardous municipal waste. Operations would occur in a 31,540-square-foot enclosed building on 11 acres east of Route 83 immediately south of the existing landfill.

“A transfer station is much more benign, if you will, than a landfill,” Willis said.

The proposal includes a 3,500-square-foot, single-story metal building north of the transfer station to accept recyclables such as newspaper, aluminum cans, cardboard, glass, and plastics. Computers, TVs and other electronics as well as textiles, clothing and shoes also would be accepted.

Both facilities would have green building features, including solar panels.

The recycling facility would replace the village’s open-air recycling center at the public works department at Berry Avenue east of Route 83.

In January, the county board approved a host agreement and the 1,959-page siting application that followed includes significantly more detailed information than presented in May 2024.

By state law, any party seeking to develop, build or operate a new pollution control facility must submit a written request to the local government to include a comprehensive application outlining how the proposal complies with nine criteria identified in the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

A public hearing is scheduled from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. May 18 and may be continued on following days if necessary at the University Center of Lake County multi-purpose rooms, 1200 University Center Drive, near the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

Anyone interested in providing testimony or submitting written questions must file with the Lake County Clerk at least 10 days before the hearing.

The county board by Aug. 12 must determine if the criteria has been met.