Report on Kaua‘i County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Initiative

Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Local Action

The Kaua‘i County Public Works Solid Waste Division has announced a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event scheduled for October 18-19, 2025. This initiative is a critical component of the county’s commitment to environmental stewardship and public health, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing a safe and responsible disposal method for hazardous materials, the event contributes significantly to creating sustainable communities (SDG 11), promoting responsible consumption (SDG 12), and protecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (SDG 14 and SDG 15).

Event Schedule and Locations

The collection events are scheduled from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the designated days.

• Saturday, October 18, 2025
  • Hanapēpē Base yard, 4380 Lele Road
  • Kapa‘a Base yard, 4900 Kahau Road
• Sunday, October 19, 2025
  • Anaina Hou Community Park, 5-2723 Kūhiō Highway
  • Kaua‘i Resource Center, 3460 Ahukini Road

Guidelines for Participation and Contribution to SDG 12

In alignment with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which encourages the environmentally sound management of waste, this event is exclusively for residential households. Participation by businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or agricultural operations is prohibited. This focus ensures that household-level waste streams are managed effectively, reducing their overall environmental footprint.

Accepted Materials for Safe Disposal

The proper disposal of the following items prevents harmful chemicals from contaminating soil and water systems, thereby supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Automotive products
• Lawn and garden products
• Oil-based paints, thinners, and stains
• Fluorescent lights
• Batteries (including household types, rechargeables up to 4 lbs, and lead-acid batteries)

Prohibited Materials

The following materials will not be accepted at these residential collection events. Residents should seek alternative, appropriate disposal methods for these items.

• eWaste
• Propane tanks
• Medical waste
• Latex paint
• Tires
• Used motor oil
• Fireworks
• Ammunition
• Flares

Direct Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

This HHW collection initiative is a practical application of global sustainability principles at the community level.

1. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The event improves municipal solid waste management by diverting hazardous materials from landfills, reducing urban environmental impact.
2. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): It provides the infrastructure for residents to practice responsible disposal, a key target for achieving sustainable management of chemicals and wastes.
3. SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By preventing hazardous substances from entering waterways via runoff, the program helps reduce land-based pollution that threatens marine ecosystems.
4. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Safe disposal protects soil quality and terrestrial ecosystems from contamination by hazardous chemicals.

Contact for Additional Information

For a comprehensive list of acceptable and unacceptable items or other inquiries, residents are advised to contact the Solid Waste Division office at 808-241-4841 or visit the county’s hazardous household waste website at www.kauai.gov/HHW.

SDG Analysis of Kaua‘i County’s Hazardous Waste Collection

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The collection of household hazardous waste, such as oil-based paints, automotive products, and batteries, directly contributes to protecting human health. Improper disposal of these materials can contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to illnesses and adverse health effects. By providing a safe disposal method, the county helps prevent public exposure to hazardous chemicals.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This goal is addressed by preventing hazardous materials from entering water systems. Chemicals from automotive products, thinners, stains, and batteries can leach into groundwater or run off into surface waters if disposed of in regular landfills or dumped illegally. The collection event ensures these pollutants are managed properly, thus protecting the quality of local water resources.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article describes a municipal service organized by the Kaua‘i County Public Works Solid Waste Division. This initiative is a core component of sustainable urban waste management. By providing residents with a structured and accessible way to dispose of hazardous waste, the county is making the community safer, cleaner, and more environmentally sustainable.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is central to the article’s topic. The event promotes the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes. It provides a mechanism for the final stage of the product life cycle for hazardous goods like fluorescent lights, batteries, and lawn products, ensuring they are handled in a way that minimizes their adverse impact on the environment and human health.

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 collection event is a direct preventative measure to reduce soil and water contamination from items like oil-based paints, thinners, and automotive products, thereby mitigating potential health risks for the community.

2. 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 prevent residents from disposing of hazardous waste in ways that could pollute water sources. Collecting items like lawn and garden products and lead-acid batteries ensures they do not end up in the water supply.

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.” This event is a clear example of a municipal waste management program specifically targeting a problematic waste stream. By organizing collection at multiple locations (Hanapēpē, Kapa‘a, Anaina Hou, Līhu‘e), the county is improving its overall waste management system for its residents.

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 in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.” The article’s entire focus is on this target. The collection of “automotive products,” “oil-based paints,” and “fluorescent lights” is a practical application of achieving environmentally sound management of hazardous waste at the end of its life cycle.

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 provide specific quantitative data, it implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Quantity and Type of Hazardous Waste Collected

  The detailed list of “acceptable items” (automotive products, lawn and garden products, oil-based paints, fluorescent lights, batteries) implies that a key metric for the success of this program is the volume of each type of hazardous waste diverted from regular landfills. This directly relates to measuring the reduction of pollutants entering the environment.

• Provision of Waste Management Services

  The announcement of the event itself, including specific dates (Oct. 18-19) and multiple locations, serves as an indicator of the county’s commitment to providing specialized waste management services. The frequency of such events and the number of accessible collection sites can be used to measure the robustness of the municipal waste management system.

• Resident Participation

  The article explicitly states, “THESE EVENTS ARE FOR RESIDENTS ONLY,” and turns away businesses, agencies, and farmers. This focus implies that the number of participating households or the rate of resident participation is a relevant indicator for measuring community engagement and the program’s reach in reducing the adverse environmental impact of the city.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: kauainownews.com