Cleaning Up Illegal Waste Dumps

Cleaning Up Illegal Waste Dumps

January 2008  - Over the course of the 
past year, 120 illegal dump sites across Illinois have been cleaned up as 
part of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's I-RID program. 
I-RID stands for Illinois Removes Illegal Dumps, a program established by 
law in 2005 to give the Illinois EPA additional authority to combat open 
dumping and clean up existing dumps. 
The state agency says it has removed nearly 22,000 tons of illegally 
dumped waste, which has been collected and sent to regulated landfills for 
disposal. 
Adding to those numbers, 444 tons of recyclable metal waste has been sent 
to salvage and recycling facilities and 275 tons of tires have been 
collected and recycled. 

"Since the Illinois EPA's I-RID Program was launched in late 2006, we have 
removed thousands of tons of waste that have not only become environmental 
hazards for the environment, but they have also become unsightly eyesores 
in Illinois' communities and in some of the state's most scenic areas," 
said Illinois EPA Director Douglas Scott. "This program has done an 
excellent job of protecting the environment and preserving it for all to 
enjoy." 
Over the past year, the Illinois EPA has worked with local and county 
officials to remove illegally dumped waste throughout the state, in both 
rural and urban areas. Dump sites range from the tip of southern Illinois 
near Cave-in-Rock to rural central and eastern Illinois, and urban 
locations in both the East St. Louis and Chicago metro areas. 
The cleanups have removed fiberglass boats, abandoned vehicles, household 
appliances, mattresses, random furniture and tires. 
All illegally dumped waste is of concern to the Illinois EPA, but 
illegally dumped tires pose an even greater concern. Tires that are 
inappropriately disposed of serve as habitat for disease-carrying 
mosquitoes and can lead to tire fires that can contaminate the air, land 
and water. 
Because whole tires have been banned from landfills, they often end up in 
unmanaged and illegal tire dumps where they accumulate stagnant water that 
serves as an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that can potentially 
carry harmful diseases such as West Nile virus. 
The I-RID program uses part of existing landfill fee revenues to cover 
costs of additional Illinois EPA inspection staff and cleanups. With the 
funding, the Illinois EPA can hire contractors to clean up open dumps 
where responsible parties cannot be located or where various specific 
imminent threats, such as fire, are present. 
The law also provides for permitting and regulation of the disposal of 
clean construction or demolition debris, such as in former quarries, and 
gives the Illinois EPA Director additional authority to seal sites where 
there is a potential risk for harm to human health or the environment. 

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