Hazardous waste management in the city of Romny, Sumy region

Hazardous waste management in the city of Romny, Sumy region is an important task for maintaining environmental safety. With the development of industry, the agricultural sector and the service sector, the number of toxic materials that require control and responsible processing is increasing. An effective hazardous waste management system allows you to minimize the negative impact on the environment and human health.

Hazardous waste management in the city includes collection, sorting, storage, transportation and further processing. There are collection points for batteries, fluorescent lamps and waste electronic equipment in Romny, but their number is insufficient. Some toxic materials end up in general garbage containers, which poses a threat to soil and water resources.

Environmental maintenance of enterprises plays an important role in ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The city is home to machine-building, food and agricultural enterprises that produce a significant amount of hazardous waste. In 2023, 15 inspections were conducted, during which cases of improper storage of chemical reagents and industrial lubricants were identified, which can lead to pollution of natural resources.

Hazardous waste in Romny is stored at specialized facilities, but their capabilities are limited. The greatest threat is posed by medical waste, oil product residues and agrochemicals that can penetrate aquifers. To prevent environmental risks, local authorities are considering the possibility of expanding existing landfills and introducing new safe storage technologies.

Transportation of hazardous waste from Romny is carried out with the participation of licensed companies using specialized transport. In 2023, more than 37 tons of toxic materials were transported from the city to enterprises engaged in their further processing. The use of modern sealed containers minimizes the risks of spills and harmful substances entering the environment.

Recycling hazardous waste is necessary to reduce their negative impact. Due to the lack of specialized enterprises in Romny, most toxic substances are transported to other regions. In 2023, more than 29 tons of batteries, electronic components, and industrial chemicals were transferred for recycling. Local authorities are studying the possibility of attracting investors to create a hazardous waste recycling enterprise in the city.

The level of public awareness of hazardous waste management issues remains insufficient. Only 46% of residents know about specialized collection points for toxic materials. In 2023, 14 information events were held in Romny to increase the environmental responsibility of citizens. However, to achieve significant results, it is necessary to continue active educational work.

Local authorities actively cooperate with environmental organizations and international funds to improve the hazardous waste management system. In 2023, Romny received funding in the amount of 2.4 million hryvnias to expand the infrastructure for the collection, transportation and processing of toxic materials. It is planned to modernize landfills and introduce mobile collection points.

Preventing illegal handling of hazardous waste remains an important task for the city. In 2023, 12 cases of illegal dumping of toxic substances in forest areas and on the outskirts of industrial zones were recorded. To solve this problem, it is planned to install video surveillance cameras at critical points and increase penalties for violators of environmental legislation.

An integrated approach to hazardous waste management allows Romny to improve the environmental situation. The introduction of modern methods of collection, transportation, storage and processing of toxic materials helps reduce the level of environmental pollution. However, to effectively solve the problem, it is necessary to expand the environmental infrastructure, attract investments and improve the environmental control system.