Clear the Clutter Safely: Lafayette’s Household Hazardous Waste Day returns Nov. 22nd – KATC

Report on the Lafayette Parish Household Hazardous Waste Day Initiative

Event Overview and Logistics

The Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Environmental Quality Division has scheduled a Household Hazardous Waste Day to facilitate the safe disposal of chemical and electronic waste for residents. The initiative is a critical component of the community’s waste management strategy.

• Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
• Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Location: Cajun Field, 2351 W. Congress Street
• Target Participants: Residents of the city of Lafayette and unincorporated areas of the parish
• Procedural Note: Participants are instructed to enter the collection site from West Congress Street.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This event directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting environmental stewardship and public health.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The initiative contributes to creating a safer and more resilient urban environment by providing a structured process for managing hazardous materials, thereby reducing urban pollution.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: By offering a dedicated collection for hazardous items, the program promotes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, significantly reducing their release into the air, water, and soil.
3. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land): A primary objective is to prevent harmful substances from entering landfills, where they can leach into groundwater and contaminate local waterways. This protects both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, safeguarding local wildlife and biodiversity.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The safe removal and disposal of hazardous household products, such as pesticides and harsh cleaners, minimizes public exposure to toxic substances, contributing to the overall health of the community.

Program Objectives and Scope

The primary goals of Household Hazardous Waste Day are centered on environmental protection and community service.

• To provide residents with a safe and accessible method for disposing of common hazardous materials that are not suitable for curbside collection.
• To divert significant quantities of hazardous waste from municipal solid waste landfills.
• To protect vital local resources, including soil, groundwater, and surface water systems, from chemical contamination.
• To raise public awareness regarding the importance of responsible waste disposal and its connection to environmental sustainability.

Accepted Materials and Further Information

The program accepts a range of materials, including but not limited to paints, pesticides, household cleaners, and old electronics. For a comprehensive list of accepted and unaccepted items, as well as information on alternative disposal sites, residents are directed to the following resources:

• Official Website: lafayettela.gov/public-works/household-hazardous-waste-day
• Telephone: 337-291-5637

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article on Lafayette’s Household Hazardous Waste Day connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on environmental protection, sustainable communities, and responsible waste management. The primary goal of the event is to prevent pollution and protect natural ecosystems.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The article explicitly states the event is about “protecting local waterways.” This directly aligns with SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The event is a municipal initiative organized by the “Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Environmental Quality Division” for residents of the city and parish. This relates to SDG 11’s goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, particularly concerning waste management.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The event promotes the environmentally sound management of waste from consumer products like “paint, pesticides, household cleaners and even old electronics.” This is a core component of SDG 12, which encourages sustainable consumption and production patterns.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: By “protecting local waterways,” the initiative helps prevent land-based pollution from reaching larger bodies of water and oceans, which is the central aim of SDG 14.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article mentions the goal of protecting “wildlife” and keeping “harmful materials out of landfills.” This prevents soil contamination and protects terrestrial ecosystems, aligning with the objectives of SDG 15.

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

The article’s description of the event and its goals allows for the identification of several specific SDG targets.

1. Target 6.3: Under SDG 6, this target aims to “improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.” The event directly addresses this by providing a safe disposal method for “leftover chemicals” to keep them out of “local waterways.”
2. Target 11.6: Under SDG 11, this target seeks to “reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.” The Household Hazardous Waste Day is a clear example of a city-level program focused on specialized waste management to mitigate environmental harm.
3. Target 12.4: Under SDG 12, this target is to “achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil.” The collection of items like “paint, pesticides, household cleaners” is a direct implementation of this target.
4. Target 14.1: Under SDG 14, this target is to “prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities.” The event is a land-based activity designed to intercept pollutants before they can enter waterways and eventually contribute to marine pollution.
5. Target 15.5: Under SDG 15, this target is to “take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and… protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” By preventing harmful chemicals from contaminating soil in landfills and water in local habitats, the event contributes to protecting the environment for “wildlife.”

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

While the article does not explicitly state any formal SDG indicators, the nature of the event implies several ways progress could be measured.

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.6 & 12.4: The amount of waste collected. An indicator could be the total volume or weight of household hazardous waste collected and diverted from landfills per event. This would directly measure the effectiveness of this specific waste management program. The article mentions a “complete list of accepted items,” suggesting that the waste is sorted and could be tracked by type (e.g., tons of e-waste, gallons of paint). This relates to Indicator 12.4.2 (proportion of hazardous waste treated).
• Implied Indicator for Target 6.3 & 14.1: Water quality monitoring. A long-term indicator would be the measurement of chemical pollutants in local waterways over time. A reduction in specific chemicals found in household products following the implementation of regular collection days would indicate progress towards protecting these ecosystems. This relates to Indicator 6.3.2 (Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality).
• Implied Indicator for Target 15.5: Biodiversity health. The mention of protecting “wildlife” implies a goal of maintaining healthy local ecosystems. An indirect indicator could be monitoring the health and population of key species in and around the local waterways and lands that are being protected from contamination.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: katc.com