Household Hazardous Waste Collection At Eco Station Dec. 5 – Los Alamos Daily Post

Report on Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview

• Organizing Body: Los Alamos County’s Environmental Services
• Event: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day
• Date: Friday, December 5
• Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Eco Transfer Station, 3701 East Jemez Road
• Eligibility: Open to residents with existing curbside collection service subscriptions.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This program significantly contributes to the achievement of several key UN Sustainable Development Goals by promoting the safe and environmentally sound management of waste:

1. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Ensures the safe disposal of hazardous materials, preventing environmental contamination that can adversely affect human health.
2. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Protects water resources by preventing hazardous chemicals from leaching into groundwater and surface water systems.
3. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Enhances urban environmental management by providing essential services for hazardous waste disposal, making the community safer and more sustainable.
4. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Promotes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, a critical component of sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Mitigates soil pollution from harmful substances like pesticides and herbicides, thereby protecting terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

Accepted Hazardous Materials

A comprehensive range of household hazardous waste will be accepted to support these sustainability objectives:

• Aerosol Spray Cans
• Automotive Fluids
• Cleaners & Corrosives
• Fertilizers & Pool Chemicals
• Flammable Solvents & Fuels
• Items Containing Mercury
• Light Bulbs
• Oxidizers
• Paints, Finishes, & Stains
• Pesticides & Herbicides
• Photographic Chemicals
• Smoke Detectors

Ongoing Waste Management Services

In addition to the scheduled event, the facility provides continuous support for specific waste streams in line with responsible production goals:

• Disposal of Automotive Oil and Antifreeze is available seven days a week.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses the collection of hazardous materials like pesticides, mercury, and corrosive cleaners. Proper disposal of these items prevents them from contaminating the environment (air, water, soil) and reduces the risk of human exposure, which can cause illnesses and other health problems.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The collection of automotive fluids, paints, pool chemicals, and other liquid waste prevents residents from pouring them down drains or disposing of them in ways that could contaminate groundwater and surface water supplies. This action directly contributes to maintaining and improving water quality.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article describes a municipal service (waste management) provided by Los Alamos County. By offering a dedicated facility for hazardous waste, the county is improving its waste management system, reducing the adverse environmental impact of the city, and making the community safer and more sustainable.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • This initiative directly addresses the end-of-life management of consumer products containing hazardous chemicals. It promotes the environmentally sound management of waste, a key component of sustainable consumption and production patterns, by ensuring these materials are handled correctly rather than entering the regular waste stream.

2. Specific SDG Targets

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 collection event is a direct preventative measure to reduce soil and water contamination from hazardous chemicals listed in the article (pesticides, fuels, mercury), thereby minimizing potential human illnesses.
2. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • The service described—collecting automotive fluids, paints, and pool chemicals—is an explicit action to minimize the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment, which directly protects local water bodies from 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 program is a clear example of a city paying special attention to “other waste management” beyond standard curbside collection, thus reducing the city’s overall 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.
   • The article details a program for the “environmentally sound management” of waste chemicals (cleaners, solvents, pesticides) by providing a designated collection point (the Eco Transfer Station) to prevent their release into the environment.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Implied Indicator for Target 11.6 and 12.4: The amount and type of household hazardous waste collected.
   • While the article does not provide specific numbers, the success of the program can be measured by the quantity (in weight or volume) of hazardous waste collected. This data would serve as a local proxy for Indicator 11.6.1 (Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities) and Indicator 12.4.2 (Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated). The list of “Accepted items” implies that waste would be categorized and measured.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 3.9 and 6.3: Reduction in environmental contamination incidents.
   • The existence of this program implies a goal of reducing incidents of illegal dumping and contamination of local soil and water. Progress could be measured by tracking a decrease in such incidents over time, which contributes to the broader goals of Indicator 3.9.2 (Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water) and Indicator 6.3.2 (Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality).

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ladailypost.com