Report on the Springfield Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative

Event Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

An initiative has been scheduled in Springfield to facilitate the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW), such as paints, cleaners, and oils. This event is a critical component of the community’s commitment to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by mitigating environmental pollution and safeguarding public health.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The proper disposal of hazardous materials prevents their release into the environment, reducing the risk of human exposure to harmful chemicals that can cause a range of health issues.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: By preventing hazardous waste from entering landfills and water systems, this initiative directly protects groundwater and surface water sources from contamination.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Effective waste management programs are fundamental to creating safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. This event enhances the city’s capacity for responsible waste management.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The collection 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.

Logistical Details

1. Date: Saturday, September 27
2. Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3. Location: Vicinity of Chamberlain Park, at the intersection of S. McCreery Avenue and E. Capitol Avenue.
4. Eligibility: The service is available to all residents of Illinois.

Participation Protocol and Environmental Contribution

Mandatory pre-registration is required for all participants. Upon registration, a voucher will be issued, which must be presented upon arrival either on a mobile device or as a printed copy. Community participation is essential for the program’s success and directly contributes to local and global sustainability targets. The responsible disposal of HHW is a vital action for protecting regional biodiversity, thereby supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by preventing toxic substances from damaging aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article discusses a “Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event” for items like “paint, cleaners, oil.” Safely disposing of these materials prevents them from contaminating soil and water sources, which in turn protects human health from exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: By providing a designated collection point for hazardous waste, the event helps prevent the improper disposal of chemicals into drains or landfills, where they could leach into groundwater and surface water, thereby protecting water quality.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The event is a municipal initiative organized by the city of Springfield (“https://springfield.il.us/…”) to manage a specific, problematic waste stream. This is a direct action towards improving waste management systems within a community to make it safer and more environmentally sustainable.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The core focus of the event is the environmentally sound management of waste at the end of a product’s life cycle. It encourages residents to handle hazardous materials responsibly, which is a key component of sustainable production and consumption patterns.

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

• 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 addresses this target by creating a system to prevent hazardous household chemicals from causing soil and water pollution.
• Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…” The event’s purpose is to stop residents from dumping hazardous materials like oil and cleaners, which directly contributes to reducing water pollution.
• 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 Drop-Off Event” is a clear example of a city focusing on “municipal and other waste management” to mitigate its environmental impact.
• 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 event is a practical implementation of this target, providing a mechanism for the environmentally sound management of chemical wastes from households.

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

The article does not mention any explicit, quantitative SDG indicators. However, it implies several metrics that could be used to measure the success and impact of the event, which in turn measure progress towards the targets:

• Implied Indicator for Targets 3.9, 6.3, and 12.4: The total volume or weight of hazardous waste collected. The article mentions items like “paint, cleaners, oil,” and tracking the amount of these materials safely disposed of would be a direct measure of pollution and contamination being prevented.
• Implied Indicator for Target 11.6: The number of households participating in the event. The article states that “Registration is REQUIRED” and it is “open to all Illinois residents.” The number of registered participants or vouchers presented would indicate the level of community engagement and the reach of the city’s waste management program.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: nprillinois.org