Hazardous waste management in the city of Genichesk, Kherson region

Hazardous waste management in the city of Genichesk, Kherson region is a pressing environmental problem, since the city is located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Azov. High tourist flow, active development of agriculture and industry contribute to the accumulation of a significant amount of waste, including hazardous substances. An insufficient system of control over their circulation can cause environmental pollution and threaten the health of the population.

Hazardous waste management in Genichesk includes a set of measures aimed at their collection, identification and further transportation to specialized enterprises. There are several collection points for batteries, fluorescent lamps and electronic devices in the city, but the number of such facilities remains insufficient. According to environmental services, about 35% of hazardous waste ends up in natural landfills or is mixed with household waste.

Environmental maintenance of enterprises plays an important role in the control of hazardous waste. In Genichesk, enterprises of the fish processing, food and transport industries operate, which generate significant volumes of toxic materials, including oil residues, chemical reagents and pharmaceutical waste. In 2023, environmental inspections revealed more than 20 cases of violations in the field of handling hazardous substances, which requires increased control and the introduction of environmentally safe technologies.

Hazardous waste is stored at specialized sites that must meet environmental standards. However, the current facilities in the city do not fully meet the needs of Genichesk, which forces enterprises to temporarily accumulate hazardous materials in their own storage facilities. This can create risks for the environment, especially in the event of leaks of toxic substances into the soil or water.

Transportation of hazardous waste is carried out in compliance with national and international safety standards. In 2023, more than 50 hazardous materials were transported from Genichesk to specialized enterprises engaged in their processing. For this, certified vehicles are used that ensure hermetic transportation and prevent possible leakage of toxic substances during transportation.

Hazardous waste recycling is an important stage of the city's environmental policy. Currently, Genichesk does not have specialized enterprises for the recycling of hazardous materials, so most toxic substances are transported to other regions of Ukraine. In 2023, more than 20 tons of hazardous waste were transferred for recycling, including spent batteries, chemical reagents and mercury lamps. The city authorities are working to attract investment to create a local recycling center.

Public awareness of hazardous waste management remains at an insufficient level. Only 40% of Genichesk residents are aware of the existence of special collection points, which indicates the need for more active information work. In 2023, the city organized 12 educational events for residents and entrepreneurs on environmental issues.

The local authorities cooperate with environmental organizations and international funds to improve hazardous waste management. Thanks to the funding in 2023, the city received 2 million hryvnias for the creation of mobile toxic substance collection points and the purchase of modern equipment for monitoring the state of the environment. It is planned to implement an electronic system for controlling the circulation of hazardous waste.

Preventing the illegal handling of hazardous waste is an important direction of the environmental policy of Genichesk. In 2023, environmental services discovered 15 illegal dumps of toxic materials, most of which are located in the coastal zone. To combat this problem, it is planned to strengthen control over environmental legislation, increase fines for the illegal handling of hazardous substances, and expand the capabilities of video surveillance in problem areas.

Thanks to a comprehensive approach to hazardous waste management, Genichesk is gradually improving its environmental situation. The introduction of modern methods of collection, transportation and processing of hazardous materials contributes to reducing pollution levels and protecting natural resources. However, to further improve the situation, it is necessary to increase funding for environmental programs, expand the network of specialized enterprises and strengthen control over compliance with environmental standards.