Report on Marquette County’s Hazardous Waste Management Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Objectives

A hazardous waste collection event was conducted in Sands Township, Marquette County, providing residents with a secure and environmentally responsible method for disposing of harmful materials. This initiative is a critical step towards mitigating environmental pollution and advancing community sustainability.

• Objective: To prevent the improper disposal of hazardous materials in landfills, natural habitats, and water systems.
• Accepted Materials: The collection accepted items such as specific paints, oils, and batteries that pose environmental risks.
• Process: According to Materials Management Supervisor Josh Wales, all collected materials are transferred to a specialized third-party environmental group for correct and safe disposal.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This local action directly supports several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating a commitment to global sustainability targets at the community level.

1. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The program is a core component of sustainable municipal waste management (Target 11.6). By providing a “safe way for people to dispose of stuff properly,” the initiative promotes the environmentally sound management of waste throughout its lifecycle (Target 12.4) and prevents pollution, making the community safer and more sustainable.
2. SDG 15 (Life on Land) & SDG 14 (Life Below Water): A primary goal is to avert the dumping of hazardous substances “in the woods” or other areas where they could contaminate soil and water. This directly protects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems from chemical pollution, preserving biodiversity.
3. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) & SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): By ensuring hazardous materials do not seep into the ground or water sources, the initiative safeguards public health from toxin exposure and helps maintain the quality of local water resources, contributing to clean water and sanitation objectives.

Continuation of Services

The commitment to responsible waste management is ongoing. The next collection day for Marquette County residents is scheduled for August 7, providing another opportunity for the community to contribute to these essential environmental and sustainability goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on hazardous waste disposal in Marquette County touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) centered on environmental protection, public health, and sustainable community practices.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is relevant because the proper disposal of hazardous materials like paints, oils, and batteries prevents soil and water contamination. Such contamination can lead to serious health issues for the community. The initiative described in the article directly contributes to creating a healthier living environment by mitigating exposure to harmful substances.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  By providing a safe disposal method, the program prevents hazardous waste from being dumped “in the woods,” as stated by Josh Wales. This action helps protect local water sources, such as groundwater and surface water, from being polluted by toxic chemicals, thereby contributing to the goal of ensuring the availability of clean water.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article highlights a community-led effort to manage waste effectively. This is a core component of making cities and human settlements sustainable. The program addresses the environmental impact of the community by managing hazardous waste, which is a critical aspect of urban environmental management.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This is the most directly addressed SDG. The article focuses on the “environmentally sound management of… all wastes,” which is a key principle of SDG 12. The collection event ensures that hazardous materials are not sent to a standard landfill but are handled by a specialized “third-party environmental group to be disposed of properly,” aligning with sustainable production and consumption patterns by managing the end-of-life stage of products.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article explicitly mentions the risk of hazardous materials ending up “in the woods.” Preventing this type of pollution directly protects terrestrial ecosystems, wildlife, and biodiversity from the harmful effects of chemical contamination, thus supporting the goal of protecting life on land.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. 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 entire initiative is an example of this target in action. The collection of “paints, oils and batteries” for proper disposal by an “environmental group” is a direct effort to manage chemical waste soundly and prevent its release into the local environment.

2. Target 11.6

   “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.”

   The hazardous waste collection day is a specific action taken by a community (Marquette County) to improve its waste management system, thereby reducing its overall environmental footprint.

3. Target 3.9

   “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.”

   By preventing hazardous waste from contaminating the environment, the program helps reduce the risk of public exposure to toxic substances, which in turn reduces the potential for related illnesses.

4. Target 6.3

   “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…”

   The program’s goal to stop waste from ending up “in the woods” is a direct measure to prevent the dumping of hazardous materials that could otherwise leach into and pollute water sources.

5. Target 12.5

   “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.”

   While the article focuses on disposal, providing a structured and safe collection system is a key part of an overall waste reduction and management strategy. It encourages residents to separate and properly manage waste rather than sending it to the landfill.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article does not provide quantitative data, but it implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Amount of hazardous waste collected

  An indicator for Targets 11.6 and 12.4 would be the total weight or volume of hazardous materials (paints, oils, batteries) collected per event or per year. This would measure the amount of waste successfully diverted from improper disposal channels.

• Frequency of collection events

  The article notes, “Thursday isn’t the last day to get rid of these types of materials. The next available day… is Aug. 7.” The number of collection days offered per year serves as an indicator of the community’s commitment and capacity to manage hazardous waste (relevant to Target 11.6).

• Rate of public participation

  The number of residents or households participating in the collection events would be an indicator of community engagement and the effectiveness of the program in promoting responsible waste disposal (relevant to Target 12.5).

• Amount of waste diverted from landfills

  The statement that the waste “would end up in the landfill or even worse, in the woods” implies a key performance indicator: the quantity of hazardous materials diverted from the general waste stream and illegal dumping sites. This directly measures progress for Targets 6.3, 12.4, and 15.1.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uppermichiganssource.com