85,196 tons of municipal solid waste were recycled in McLean County in 2014, representing more waste materials recycled than any time in the past five years. The 2014 recycling rate of 37.7% matches that of 2013, which is the highest recycling rate ever recorded in our community.
While minor fluctuations in the recycling rate have occurred over the past several years especially during the economic recession, McLean County continues to inch closer to the community-wide recycling goal of 40%. This goal is established within the McLean County Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan, which is updated every five years.
In addition to striving to meet the established goal, making additional progress in source reduction and further increased recycling is becoming increasingly important as it is estimated that less than two years of capacity remain in the McLean County Landfill. Upon closure of the landfill, waste will need to be transported farther from Bloomington-Normal, which is anticipated to increase costs. Delaying the inevitable landfill closure through more assertive waste management strategies can help save local financial resources.
| Year | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
2014 |
| Total MSW Recycled (tons) | 80,217 | 80,541 | 71,099 | 66,737 | 73,833 |
85,196 |
| Total MSW Landfilled (tons) | 148,089 | 134,325 | 136,927 | 116,290 | 121,991 |
141,068 |
| Incinerated/Fuel Blended (tons) | – | – | – | 52 | 0 |
0 |
| Total Municipal Solid Waste Generated (tons) | 228,306 | 214,866 | 208,026 | 183,079 | 195,824 |
226,264 |
| Percent Change from Previous Year | -12.7% | -5.9% | -3.2% | -12.0% | 7.0% |
0% |
| Recycling Rate | 35.1% | 37.5% | 34.2% | 36.5% | 37.7% |
37.7% |
| Percent Change from Previous Year | -6.5% | 6.7% | -8.8% | 6.7% | 3.4% |
0% |
The Ecology Action Center annually collects data on the amount of municipal solid waste generated and recycled for all of McLean County. This data is used for solid waste management planning purposes. Among other services, the EAC acts as the solid waste agency for Bloomington, Normal, and McLean County and provides technical assistance, recycling promotion, nontraditional recycling program administration, household hazardous waste coordination, and education and outreach.
Information on residential recycling, recycling of nontraditional materials, and information on disposal of household hazardous wastes is available by calling (309) 454-3169 or visiting ecologyactioncenter.org.
The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.
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