Thurston County pilot hazardous-waste reuse program had limited uptake; staff plans expanded outreach next year – Citizen Portal AI

Report on the Thurston County Household Hazardous Waste Reuse Pilot Program and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Strategic Goals

Thurston County Public Works has concluded a seasonal pilot program for the reuse of household hazardous waste (HHW), operating from April 1 to September 30. The program’s primary objective is to advance principles of a circular economy, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by diverting usable materials from the waste stream. The initial phase intentionally limited participation to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and county departments to establish a controlled operational framework.

Pilot Program Performance and Initial Data

The program’s inaugural year served as a foundational period for establishing procedures and gauging initial engagement. While participation was modest, it provided crucial baseline data for future expansion.

• Liability Waivers Completed: 3
• Program Visits for Material Collection: 2
• Total Weight of Materials Reused: 40 pounds

Digital outreach efforts indicated significant public interest in HHW management, a key factor for achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through improved citizen engagement in waste systems.

• HHW Web Page Visits: 6,543
• Facebook Outreach Reach: Approximately 4,000 views
• Contact Forms Submitted: 25

Survey data from contact form submissions revealed that 73% of respondents were from Olympia, 80% were residents, and 50% had never previously used the Hazardous Waste facility, highlighting an opportunity to expand service accessibility.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The HHW Reuse Program is strategically aligned with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating a commitment to global sustainability targets at the local level.

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The core function of the program is to promote reuse over disposal, directly supporting targets for reducing waste generation and encouraging sustainable practices.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By improving hazardous waste management, the program contributes to making Thurston County a safer, more resilient, and sustainable community.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Safely managing and reusing hazardous materials prevents environmental pollution that can impact human health.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The program’s model is built on collaboration between Public Works, Environmental Health, and nonprofit organizations, exemplifying the multi-stakeholder partnerships necessary to achieve sustainable development.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Operational Integrity

Inter-departmental collaboration is crucial for program success. Environmental Health staff have offered to leverage their networks, particularly with schools and daycares, to broaden promotional reach once program parameters are expanded. This partnership reinforces the program’s contribution to SDG 17. An essential finding from the pilot was that the reuse program did not negatively impact the primary operations of the HHW facility. Facility operators successfully screened materials for usability, and the operations manager remains an active participant in planning for future implementation.

Future Directives and Strategic Expansion

Public Works will continue the program in the upcoming year, maintaining its focus as a nonprofit-oriented pilot to refine logistics and outreach strategies. The committee has directed staff to develop a more detailed expansion plan.

• Outreach Expansion: Designated outreach specialists will lead efforts to create a coordinated, countywide notification plan in partnership with Environmental Health and local nonprofit networks.
• Future Review: Program eligibility and operational months will be formally reviewed during the county’s upcoming solid waste management planning process.
• Reporting: Staff will return in December to present a comprehensive outreach plan and recommendations for the program’s next phase.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

   The article on Thurston County’s household hazardous waste reuse program connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on environmental sustainability, community well-being, and collaboration.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The program is a municipal initiative by Thurston County Public Works to improve waste management services for its residents. By creating a system to handle hazardous waste safely and promote reuse, the county is working to make its communities more sustainable and reduce their environmental footprint. The article notes that 73% of survey respondents were from Olympia, highlighting the program’s local community focus.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This is the most directly relevant SDG. The program’s core purpose is to intercept hazardous waste and divert it from disposal by promoting reuse. This directly supports the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns by reducing waste generation. The pilot program successfully diverted 40 pounds of material for reuse, directly contributing to this goal.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article emphasizes collaboration between different entities. The program itself is a partnership between a public entity (Thurston County Public Works) and civil society organizations (501(c)(3) nonprofits). Furthermore, the plan to expand outreach involves coordination between different county departments (Public Works and Environmental Health) and with “local nonprofit networks,” demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to achieving sustainability goals.

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

   The article’s content aligns with specific targets under the identified SDGs.

   • 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 reuse program is a direct action aimed at improving “municipal… waste management.” By providing a safe disposal and reuse option for hazardous materials, the county is actively working to reduce the negative environmental impact of waste generated by its residents.
   • Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The program is explicitly designed to promote “reuse,” one of the key actions mentioned in this target. The pilot’s objective is to find a productive use for materials that would otherwise be treated as waste, thereby reducing the overall volume of waste that requires disposal.
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The pilot program’s structure, which limits participation to “501(c)(3) nonprofits and county departments,” is a clear example of a public-civil society partnership. The plan to expand outreach through “environmental health partners and local nonprofit networks” further reinforces the commitment to this collaborative target.

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

   Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative data points that can serve as indicators to measure progress.

   • For Target 12.5 (Reduce waste generation): A direct indicator is the amount of material diverted from the waste stream. The article explicitly states, “40 pounds were reused.” This metric can be tracked over time to measure the program’s success in reducing waste.
   • For Target 17.17 (Partnerships): The article provides several indicators of partnership engagement and outreach effectiveness.
     • Partnership Participation: “3 liability waivers completed” and “2 visits to the program” by nonprofits are direct measures of partner engagement in the pilot phase.
     • Public and Partner Outreach: The article mentions several metrics used to gauge awareness and interest, which are precursors to building stronger partnerships. These include: “6,543 visits” to the household hazardous waste webpage, “seven Facebook posts that reached nearly 4,000 views,” and “25 completed forms” from the website’s contact page. These indicators help measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts aimed at engaging the community and potential partners.
   • For Target 11.6 (Municipal waste management): While a direct indicator like the overall proportion of waste managed is not provided, the program itself acts as an indicator of an improved waste management system. The operational detail that “operators screened materials and reported that donated items were generally usable” implies a functioning process within the “Hazo House” facility, contributing to the overall goal of effective municipal waste management.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: citizenportal.ai