Report on Deschutes County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

In October, the Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste will implement a series of household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events in the communities of La Pine, Sisters, and Redmond. These events offer residents a no-cost method for the safe and responsible disposal of HHW. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by mitigating environmental pollution and safeguarding public health, thereby fostering more sustainable and resilient communities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The HHW collection program is a critical local action that contributes to global sustainability targets. The proper management of hazardous materials is essential for environmental protection and human well-being. The initiative aligns with the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By providing a safe disposal pathway for toxic materials such as cleaning supplies, pesticides, and mercury-containing items, the program minimizes human exposure and reduces associated health risks.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The initiative prevents hazardous chemicals from contaminating ground and surface water sources, protecting the integrity of local water supplies.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By extending waste management services to rural communities, the program enhances the safety, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability of human settlements.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This program directly addresses Target 12.4, which calls for the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, significantly reducing their release to air, water, and soil.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) & SDG 15 (Life on Land): Preventing hazardous waste from entering landfills or being improperly discarded protects aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems from chemical pollution.

Operational Details of Collection Events

To ensure accessibility for residents throughout the county, three one-day collection events have been scheduled. In addition, a permanent facility offers regular collection services.

1. La Pine
   • Location: South County Services Center, 51340 U.S. 97
   • Date: Saturday, Oct. 4
   • Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
2. Sisters
   • Location: Sisters Recycling Center, 328 W. Sisters Park Drive
   • Date: Saturday, Oct. 11
   • Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
3. Redmond
   • Location: Negus Transfer Station, 2400 NE Maple Ave
   • Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
   • Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Continuous collection is available at the Knott Landfill Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 62060 SE 27th St. in Bend, every Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Material Acceptance Guidelines

To achieve the program’s environmental and safety objectives, specific categories of materials will be accepted. The segregation of waste streams is crucial for responsible processing.

Accepted Materials

• Oil and latex paints and stains
• Thinners, solvents, fuels
• Oil soaked rags and absorbents
• Pool and spa chemicals
• Garden products (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.)
• Vehicle fluids (coolants, lubricants, fuels, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.)
• Propane tanks and camp stove cylinders
• Aerosols (paints, garden sprays, cleaners, etc.)
• Mercury and Mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats, etc.)
• Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs
• Rechargeable batteries
• Household cleaners

Prohibited Materials

• Business-generated hazardous waste
• Medical waste
• Explosives, fireworks, ammunition
• Compressed gas cylinders (other than propane)
• Barrels

Contact and Further Information

For additional details regarding the HHW collection program, please contact the Department of Solid Waste at (541) 317-3163. Further information on hazardous materials is available on the department’s website.

Media inquiries may be directed to Greg Brady, Hazardous Waste Supervisor, at (541) 322-7173.

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 household hazardous waste collection events connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing environmental safety, public health, and sustainable community practices.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The initiative aims to mitigate health risks associated with hazardous materials. The article explicitly states that items like “cleaning supplies, old paint, pesticides, and fluorescent lightbulbs can… pose health risks if not disposed of properly.”
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The program is a municipal service provided by the Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste to make the communities of La Pine, Sisters, and Redmond safer and more sustainable by managing hazardous waste effectively.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is a primary focus, as the events promote the environmentally sound management of waste. The article’s core purpose is to provide residents with an opportunity to “dispose of household hazardous waste items safely and responsibly,” which is a key component of sustainable waste management.

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

   The article’s content aligns with the following specific SDG targets:

   • 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 collection event directly addresses this by preventing hazardous chemicals found in items like “pesticides,” “solvents,” and “vehicle fluids” from contaminating the local environment and harming human health.
   • 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 organized collection events are a clear example of a municipality improving its waste management system to reduce the negative environmental impact of its residents’ waste.
   • 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 program’s stated goal to help residents “discard their household hazardous waste items safely and responsibly” to avoid harming “the environment” is a direct implementation of this target.

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 mention official SDG indicators, it implies several metrics that could be used to measure the success and impact of the program:

   • Amount of hazardous waste collected: The total weight or volume of the collected materials would be a direct indicator of the amount of hazardous waste diverted from landfills or improper disposal. This would measure progress towards Targets 11.6 and 12.4.
   • Number of participating residents: Tracking the number of households that use the service would indicate the program’s reach and community engagement, which is relevant to the “per capita” aspect of Target 11.6.
   • Frequency and accessibility of collection events: The article specifies the dates, times, and locations (La Pine, Sisters, Redmond, and a permanent facility in Bend). The number and geographic distribution of these events serve as an indicator of the county’s commitment to providing accessible waste management services (Target 11.6).
   • Types of waste collected: The detailed list of accepted items (e.g., “paints and stains,” “rechargeable batteries,” “mercury-containing items”) allows for the tracking of specific hazardous waste streams being managed, which is a key component of Target 12.4.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.9: Substantially reduce illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.	Quantity and type of hazardous materials (e.g., pesticides, mercury) removed from households, preventing potential health risks.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, particularly concerning municipal waste management.	Number of participating residents/households in the collection events. Number and accessibility of collection events and facilities provided by the county.
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes.	Total weight/volume of household hazardous waste collected. Breakdown of collected waste by category (paints, chemicals, batteries, etc.).

Source: deschutes.org