City of Temple hosting Hazardous Waste Collection event Oct. 25 – kcentv.com

City of Temple hosting Hazardous Waste Collection event Oct. 25 – kcentv.com

 

Report on the City of Temple’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative

Introduction: Fostering Sustainable Urban Development

The City of Temple has announced a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event, a key initiative aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and public health. This program directly supports the city’s commitment to creating a sustainable urban environment, aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring the safe and responsible management of hazardous materials within the community.

Event Logistics

  • Date: Saturday, October 25
  • Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Temple Solid Waste Complex, 2611 E. Ave. H, Temple, Texas

Accepted Materials and Environmental Impact

The event facilitates the disposal of various hazardous items, which is critical for achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by managing the entire life-cycle of chemical products. Proper disposal prevents contamination of local ecosystems, supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Accepted materials include:

  • Chemicals
  • Electronics (E-waste)
  • Flammable liquids
  • Paint
  • Tires

Collection Procedures and Guidelines

To ensure safety and efficiency, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), participants are required to follow specific procedures:

  1. The event is a contactless drive-thru; attendees must remain in their vehicles.
  2. Materials must be in containers of five gallons or less.
  3. A maximum of 15 gallons of material will be accepted per person.
  4. Disposal containers will not be returned to participants.
  5. Up to four tires (17″ or smaller) may be disposed of at no cost. Fees will apply for larger tires or quantities exceeding the limit.

Direct Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This municipal program is a practical application of global sustainability principles, with direct contributions to the following SDGs:

  • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Reduces public health risks by preventing exposure to hazardous substances improperly discarded in the environment.
  • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Safeguards water resources by preventing hazardous chemicals from leaching into the ground and contaminating local water supplies.
  • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Strengthens the city’s capacity for integrated solid waste management, making the community safer and more environmentally resilient.
  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Promotes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes, significantly reducing their release to air, water, and soil.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The event promotes the safe disposal of hazardous materials, which prevents soil, water, and air contamination. This directly contributes to reducing illnesses and deaths caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals and pollution.
  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: By providing a designated collection point for chemicals, paint, and electronics, the initiative helps prevent these substances from being improperly dumped, where they could leach into groundwater and surface water sources, thereby protecting water quality.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article describes a city-organized event (“The City of Temple is hosting an event”) aimed at improving municipal waste management. This initiative helps reduce the adverse environmental impact of the city by ensuring hazardous waste is handled properly.
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The event directly supports the environmentally sound management of waste. By collecting hazardous items like chemicals and electronics at the end of their life cycle, the city is promoting responsible disposal practices and moving towards sustainable production and consumption patterns.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
    • The event provides residents a safe way to dispose of “hazardous items like chemicals, electronics, flammables,” preventing these materials from contaminating the local environment and posing a health risk to the community.
  2. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
    • The collection event is a direct measure to prevent the dumping and improper release of hazardous household waste, which is a common source of water pollution.
  3. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
    • The “Household Hazardous Waste Collection event” hosted by the City of Temple is a clear example of a municipal waste management program designed to mitigate the city’s environmental footprint.
  4. Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle…and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
    • The core purpose of the event is to ensure the “environmentally sound management” of household hazardous waste, as residents can dispose of a “variety of hazardous materials, including chemicals, electronics, flammables, paint, tires and more.”
  5. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
    • While the article focuses on disposal, collecting specific items like “electronics” and “tires” often implies they will be sent for specialized recycling or refurbishment rather than landfilling, which contributes to waste reduction.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure the success and impact of the initiative:

  • Volume of hazardous waste collected: The article specifies limits on the amount of waste per person (“five gallons or less per container, with a maximum of 15 gallons accepted per person”), implying that the total volume of collected materials is a key metric for the city. This can be an indicator for Target 12.4.
  • Types of hazardous waste managed: The article lists the specific categories of accepted materials (“chemicals, electronics, flammables, paint, tires and more”). Tracking the amount collected per category would provide detailed data on the types of waste being diverted from improper disposal, relevant to Target 12.4.
  • Quantity of specific items collected: The specific mention of tires (“four tires up to 17″ for free”) suggests that the number of tires collected is a specific performance indicator for the event, relating to Target 12.5.
  • Number of households/residents served: As the event is for “Temple residents,” the number of attendees or vehicles participating in the “contactless drive-thru” would serve as an indicator of community engagement and the reach of the municipal service, relevant to Target 11.6.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators (Implied from Article)
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being 3.9: Reduce illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution. Total volume and types of hazardous materials (chemicals, flammables, paint) safely collected and diverted from the environment.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and eliminating dumping of hazardous materials. Volume of liquid chemicals and paints collected, preventing potential water contamination.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.6: Reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities through improved waste management. Number of residents/households participating in the city’s hazardous waste collection event.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes. Total weight/volume of hazardous waste collected, categorized by type (e.g., electronics, chemicals). Maximum collection volume per person (15 gallons).
12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through recycling. Number of specific items collected for recycling/specialized disposal (e.g., number of tires, weight of electronics).

Source: kcentv.com