Waste Management - DeKalb County Security Landfill

A regional landfill on Somonauk Road that handles both household and commercial loads, used by contractors and local residents hauling bulk trash. Big enough to see long stretches of covered cell walls and heavy equipment moving around, it feels like a working dump rather than a transfer station.

There’s an entrance booth and a scale you’ll drive over - loads are charged by weight so expect to stop there and again when leaving. Trucks and trailers queue at the entry, then are directed to active tipping cells or smaller drop-off spots depending on the size of the load. The site is open-air with gravel drives and large mounds of covered refuse; expect heavy equipment like compactors and loaders nearby. Traffic picks up on weekends and during spring cleanups, which can mean waiting in line in the lot.