Report on Gwinnett County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Gwinnett County is hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day to provide residents with a safe and environmentally responsible method for disposing of hazardous materials. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting community health, protecting ecosystems, and fostering sustainable urban living.

Event Details

• Event: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
• Date: Saturday, July 26
• Time: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Location: Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, Lawrenceville

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This program is a critical local action that contributes to global sustainability targets. By facilitating the proper disposal of hazardous waste, the event actively supports the following SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Ensures the safe removal of toxic materials from households, reducing the risk of accidental exposure and protecting community health.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Prevents hazardous chemicals from contaminating local water sources, safeguarding the quality of drinking water and aquatic environments.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Enhances urban environmental management by providing essential services for waste disposal, making Gwinnett County a safer and more sustainable community.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Promotes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, significantly reducing their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
• SDG 14 & 15: Life Below Water and Life on Land: Mitigates pollution by preventing hazardous substances from entering and harming terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Participation Guidelines and Resources

Residents are encouraged to participate in this sustainability effort by following the established guidelines.

1. Collect household hazardous waste, such as paint, motor oil, batteries, and cleaning chemicals.
2. Limit of up to five disposable containers per vehicle will be enforced.
3. Transport materials to the designated collection site during operational hours.

Further Information

• List of Acceptable Materials: A comprehensive list of items accepted at the event can be found at GwinnettCB.org.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Individuals interested in contributing to the event’s success can register to volunteer at VolunteerGwinnett.net. This aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering collaboration between the local government and its citizens.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Analysis

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses the collection of hazardous waste like cleaning chemicals and motor oil. Proper disposal of these materials prevents them from contaminating soil and water, which can lead to illnesses and health problems, thus promoting a healthy environment for residents.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The event is a municipal initiative by Gwinnett County to manage a specific type of waste. This directly relates to creating safer, more resilient, and sustainable communities by managing the environmental impact of urban living.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The core focus of the article is the environmentally sound management of waste at the end of a product’s life cycle. The collection day encourages residents to dispose of hazardous materials responsibly, which is a key component of sustainable consumption and production 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 directly supports this target by providing a safe method for disposing of hazardous chemicals (paint, motor oil, cleaning chemicals), preventing them from polluting the local environment and causing potential health issues.
2. 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 Day is a clear example of a local government initiative focused on “municipal and other waste management” to reduce the negative environmental impact of the community.
3. Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
   • The article describes an event specifically designed for the “environmentally sound management” of hazardous waste, aiming to prevent its release into the environment and thus minimizing adverse impacts.

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

1. Amount of hazardous waste collected
   • The article implies a method of measurement by stating that residents can bring “up to five disposable containers of waste.” The total volume or weight of hazardous materials like paint, motor oil, and batteries collected at the event would serve as a direct indicator of the amount of waste diverted from improper disposal. This relates to measuring progress for targets 11.6 and 12.4.
2. Number of participating residents
   • The event announcement is a call to action for residents to participate. The number of people who attend the collection day would be an indicator of community engagement and the effectiveness of the program in reaching the population, which is relevant to the implementation of municipal waste management programs under Target 11.6.

Summary Table

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.monroelocal.org