MODEST BUDGET + SURPLUS CREATIVITY = SUCCESSFUL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS

摘要

Household Hazardous Waste collection programs seem to have greater variance in their operational styles from one community to another than other more established (curbside, drop-off) recycling programs. What works well in one community may not work well in another due to location, demographic variability, funding resources or personnel limitations. This paper reflects one community's ongoing-efforts to leverage its modest resources by seeking outside its own means to build participation and partnerships in its diversion goals. The City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling Division has operated a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facility since 1994 serving households within both the city and county (population 81,798). Since its inception attention to safety and costs have been paramount as the program continues to grow in popularity, evidenced through its increased participation rates and volume of materials collected. The Waste Reduction and Recycling (WR/R) Division has strove to contain costs by; 1) building technical expertise within existing staffing resources; 2) solicit and maintain a large corps of volunteers to assist in collection event activities and environmental outreach and education; 3) source specific wastestreams independent of a hazardous waste contracting company; and 4) reduce overall disposal costs by aggressively promoting a Product Reuse Program.