Hazardous waste management in the city of Berezhany, Ternopil region

Hazardous waste management in the city of Berezhany, Ternopil region is an important environmental task, since improper handling of toxic materials can lead to soil, water resources and air pollution. Given the agrarian and industrial profile of the city, the accumulation of hazardous substances is becoming an increasingly urgent problem that requires a systematic approach to its solution.

Hazardous waste management involves organizing their collection, sorting, storage and transportation to specialized enterprises. Berezhany has collection points for batteries, fluorescent lamps and electronic waste. However, due to the insufficient number of such facilities, some of the toxic materials end up in general garbage cans, which creates additional environmental risks.

Environmental maintenance of enterprises is aimed at reducing the negative impact of industrial activity on the environment. The city is home to woodworking, food and construction enterprises that generate waste with a high content of chemical compounds and petroleum products. In 2023, an environmental audit of 12 enterprises was conducted, which revealed violations in the field of storage of hazardous substances.

Hazardous waste is stored at specialized landfills, but their throughput is limited. The biggest problems arise with residues of agrochemicals, medical waste and industrial liquids that require special storage conditions. To minimize the risks of environmental pollution, it is necessary to modernize existing storage facilities and control their fullness.

Transportation of hazardous waste from the city is carried out in accordance with environmental standards and safety regulations. In 2023, more than 26 tons of toxic substances were transported from Berezhany to specialized enterprises in Ternopil and neighboring regions. Certified vehicles with sealed containers are used for transportation, which prevent leakage of hazardous substances.

Hazardous waste recycling is an important area of ​​the city's environmental policy. Due to the lack of specialized enterprises in Berezhany, most toxic materials are transported for processing to other regions. In 2023, more than 19 tons of electronic components, batteries, and chemical reagents were transferred for recycling. It is planned to attract investments for the construction of a local hazardous materials recycling center.

Public awareness of the problem of hazardous waste management needs to be improved. Only 39% of residents know about specialized collection points for toxic materials. In 2023, 10 information events were held aimed at increasing the environmental culture of the population. However, to achieve better results, it is necessary to intensify information campaigns and involve public organizations in environmental education.

Local authorities cooperate with environmental services to improve the hazardous waste management system. In 2023, the city received funding in the amount of 1.5 million hryvnias to improve the infrastructure for the collection, transportation and processing of toxic materials. One of the key projects is the creation of mobile hazardous waste collection points, which will allow for a more effective solution to the problem of pollution.

Preventing illegal handling of hazardous waste is an important area of ​​activity for city environmental services. In 2023, 8 cases of illegal dumping of toxic materials were detected in forest areas and on the outskirts of the city. To combat this phenomenon, it is planned to introduce electronic accounting of hazardous waste and install video surveillance cameras in critical places.

An integrated approach to hazardous waste management allows Berezhany to gradually improve the environmental situation. The introduction of modern technologies for the collection, transportation, storage and processing of toxic materials contributes to reducing the level of environmental pollution and preserving natural resources. However, for the further development of this area, it is necessary to increase funding for environmental programs, expand infrastructure, and strengthen control over compliance with environmental standards.