winnebago landfill Waste Disposal, Diversion and Recycling

Winnebago Landfill Company offers two landfill locations that provide responsible and convenient waste disposal. Winnebago Landfill is located just west of I-39 at the Baxter Road exit; Rochelle Landfill is slightly east of I-39 at the I-38 exit. Both landfills are totally committed to safe and efficient solid waste disposal and recycling.

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A plan for today and today and the future

The Winnebago Landfill and the Winnebago Reclamation Service began its operation in 1972. We are a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill and abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Our solid waste landfill consists of the landfill, a recyclables processing center, landfill gas-to-energy processing, and associated ancillary services.

Liquids that are collected from the drainage system are treated at our modern wastewater treatment facility in Rockford, Illinois. And, with an eye toward safety, a network of groundwater monitoring wells located throughout the facility is monitored regularly to ensure proper operation.

An expansion of the landfill was granted in July 2012. The expansion “footprint” will occupy approximately 222 acres within an 855 acre Facility boundary and allow for the landfill to continue to operate and serve northern Illinois communities in a safe environmentally sound manner for many years.

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Rock River Valley Compost Facility

The Rock Valley Compost Facility only accepts landscape waste. This includes grass clippings, weeds, tree trimmings, and stumps. All bagged landscape waste needs to be in paper landscape bags, landscape waste in plastic bags is not accepted. Food waste, refuse, rocks and all other non-landscape compostable materials are not accepted.

Composting is a natural form of recycling, which continually occurs in nature. After the yard waste is ground at our facility, it is deposited in windrows where it goes through the composting cycle. Once the finished compost is screened, it is sold to and widely used by home gardeners and landscape professionals.

Price: $50/ton with a 2 ton minimum charge.

Hours: (Varies seasonally) April – November, Monday – Friday, 8AM – 3PM, Please call to confirm

Site Address: 6200 Baxter Road Cherry Valley, IL 61016

Phone: 815-874-5870

From the start, Rock River Valley Compost’s goal has been to lead the way in residential and commercial recycling and disposal. We accomplish this through composting – the transformation of organic material (plant matter) through decomposition into a soil-like material called compost.

We pride ourselves on being a good neighbor, employer and tax payer. We take the community's concerns very seriously and have dedicated significant resources, time and energy to be the best neighbor and employer we can be. In 2019, we invested $2.2 million in a state-of-the-art Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS), which includes 70 gas extraction wells aimed at reducing the potential for odors to escape from the landfill (including 20 in December 2019 alone).

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Part of our community infrastructure

The Winnebago Landfill Company gives back to its surrounding areas by contributing annually to youth, environmental, cultural and economic programs.

We’re committed to many local charities and we’re an active participant in numerous special events. In addition, we have speakers who regularly talk to school groups around the county about the solid waste industry and recycling.

Our employees are encouraged to participate in the community by serving on non-profit boards and committees. Many of our employees also serve on local school boards and church councils; they are soccer coaches, tutors and volunteers. We have thoroughly committed to being a good and responsible corporate citizen.

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Real-time collection and community feedback

Every day one of our employees collects data at 29 distinct locations in neighborhoods surrounding the facility which we closely monitor and track

This data has been collected since 2012 and is provided to the Illinois Attorney General and Illinois Environment Protection Agency (IEPA) every month to ensure stakeholders have the latest data.

Additionally, we established a hotline to receive and respond to complaints quickly, even traveling to the source of the compliant to work with the community in a direct manner.

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More than $2 million spent to combat odors

We pride ourselves on being a good neighbor, employer and taxpayer. We take the community’s concerns very seriously and have dedicated significant resources, time and energy to be the best neighbor and employer we can be.

In 2019, we invested over $2.2 million in a state-of-the-art Gas Collection and Control System (GCCS), which includes 70 gas extraction wells aimed at reducing the potential for odors to escape from the landfill (including 20 in December 2019 alone); This work on the GCCS is above and beyond any permit or regulatory requirements

We are constantly monitoring the efficiency of our collection and control system and always looking at ways to improve and enhance the process. We installed an additional landfill gas collection flare and blower system which increased our gas collection capacity by over 60%.

We installed a state-of-the-art Vapor-Phase Odor Control System, which is specifically designed to neutralize landfill gas odors that come in contact with the vapor.

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Economic Impact to Winnebago County

The Winnebago Landfill Company employs over 30 employees who live locally in the county. Our Rock River Disposal company and division office employ an additional 125 people in the county. In 2019, our companies spent nearly $40 million on operations and capital projects using local labor unions and other vendors. In addition, we provide nearly approximately $5 million in host fees to Winnebago County on an annual basis which is used for a variety of its economic development and operations projects in their budget.

We are thoroughly committed to being a good and responsible corporate citizen and remaining highly connected to the community. We strive to provide a workplace where everyone can reach his or her highest potential.