Hazardous waste management in Kremenchuk

Hazardous waste management in Kremenchuk, Poltava region is one of the key areas of environmental policy. The city has a developed industrial infrastructure, which contributes to the formation of a significant amount of toxic substances. An important task is to create an effective system for collecting, transporting and processing hazardous materials in order to minimize their impact on the environment and the health of residents.

Hazardous waste management involves their correct identification, sorting and storage in accordance with established environmental standards. Kremenchuk has collection points for mercury lamps, batteries, and waste electronic devices, but their number does not cover all the needs of the city. A significant part of toxic materials ends up in general waste, which can lead to water and soil pollution.

Environmental maintenance of enterprises plays an important role in preventing environmental pollution. Industrial enterprises, including oil refineries, chemical plants, and transport companies, are the main producers of hazardous waste in the city. To monitor their impact on the environment, 14 environmental inspections were conducted in 2023, the results of which revealed cases of improper storage of toxic substances.

Hazardous waste is stored at specialized sites that ensure minimal impact on the ecosystem. The main problem remains the insufficient number of such facilities and their limited throughput. The greatest threat is posed by industrial sludge, pharmaceutical residues, and used lubricants, which require special storage in sealed containers.

Transportation of hazardous waste in Kremenchuk is carried out using certified transport that meets environmental standards. In 2023, more than 35 tons of toxic materials were removed from the city for further processing. Adherence to safe transportation conditions helps prevent accidental spills of chemicals and ensure their safe delivery to specialized enterprises.

Hazardous waste recycling remains one of the main tasks of the city's environmental strategy. Due to the lack of its own capacities, most toxic substances are transported to other regions. In 2023, more than 30 tons of batteries, electronic components and chemical compounds were transferred for recycling. Local authorities are considering the possibility of building a plant for processing toxic materials, which will reduce transportation costs and create new jobs.

Public awareness of hazardous waste remains insufficient. Only 39% of city residents are aware of existing toxic materials collection points. In 2023, 10 information events were held to raise environmental awareness. However, it is necessary to expand educational campaigns and increase the number of hazardous waste collection points.

Local authorities are actively cooperating with environmental organizations and international funds to improve the hazardous waste management system. In 2023, Kremenchuk received funding to modernize landfills and create mobile collection points. It is also planned to implement a digital system for monitoring the city's environmental condition.

Preventing illegal handling of hazardous waste remains one of the main tasks. In 2023, 8 cases of illegal dumping of toxic materials in natural areas were recorded. To combat this problem, the authorities plan to introduce a video surveillance system and increase fines for violators of environmental standards.

An integrated approach to hazardous waste management allows Kremenchuk to improve the environmental situation and reduce the level of environmental pollution. The introduction of modern technologies for the collection, transportation, storage and processing of toxic materials will contribute to the sustainable development of the city and the preservation of natural resources for future generations.