Debra Garrett
Director, Environmental Management Department
Main Office:
141 South Main Street, Room 408
Decatur, IL 62523
Contacts:
Phone: (217) 425-4505
Fax: (217) 424-1459
Email: dgarrett@co.macon.il.us
Hours:
M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
excluding legal holidays
In 1991, the Macon County Board adopted the Solid Waste Management Plan as required by law, Illinois Solid Waste Planning and Recycling Act. All counties with a population of 100,000 or greater are required to adopt an action plan for implementation of policies and programs that are environmentally sound and economically feasible for the management of the waste stream generated.
Macon County’s Environmental Management Department strictly adheres to the Plan by implementing recycling initiatives, environmental education in Macon County Schools, inspecting county landfills & other permitted sites, as well as assisting residents with various environmental issues.
Macon County Environmental Management is delegated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to inspect the Veolia ES Valley View Landfill and other sites that are permitted as pollution control facilities. The Department also inspects properties where open dumping is reported. To report open dumping, please call 217/421-0291.
Macon County continues to exceed state goals for recycling. In 2009, the recycling rate for Macon County Illinois was 52.8% compared to the state average of 35.3%. Increased recycling in Macon County is due in great part to the expanded recycling opportunities provided by Macon County Environmental Management and the support of the County Chairman and County Board. Area residents have nine permanent recycling trailer locations strategically placed for convenient drop off recycling. Additionally in the last three years, Macon County has implemented new recycling programs that include: glass, electronics and fluorescent bulb recycling while expanding the scope of other programs.
The Macon County Environmental Management Department supports electronics recycling and is committed to organizing one day collections for free residential electronics recycling. Due to various toxins within most electronics, Macon County Chairman and Macon County Board initiated electronics recycling to ensure continuing environmental safeguards for Macon County residents. Public Act 95-0959 - Electronic Products Recycling & Reuse Act, enacted on September 17, 2009 will permanently ban all electronics from Illinois landfills effective January 1, 2012.
2011 Recycling Guide
A recycling guide is provided in partnership with Macon County and the City of Decatur with the intent to assist you and your family in developing a recycling plan. See the Recycling Guide here.
Environmental Guidelines
Curbing usage, reducing wastes and consuming fewer resources are ways of using less but result in more benefits - saving money, conserving natural resources, safer drinking water, cleaner air, greater biodiversity. Learn more about waste disposal, environmental compliance and managing landscape waste.
Recycling News & Updates
Beyond Curbside Recycling
Most curbside recycling programs allow residents the opportunity to recycle aluminum, tin cans, plastic, newspapers, and sometimes glass. But, going beyond the curbside bin is very different in communities across the country. View our Recycling page to view the options available for residents in Macon County for recycling items not accepted in the curbside recycling program. Click here to read more about recycling beyond your curbside...
Environmental Websites
On our Links page, you will find useful links to many environmental websites.
Choose one of the link categories below:
Curriculum
Visit our Environmental Curriculum page for Lesson Plans and Reading Lists.
Water Use & Conservation
Visit our Water Use & Conservation page for more information.
