Hazardous waste management in the city of Buchach, Ternopil region

Hazardous waste management in the city of Buchach, Ternopil region is an important part of the region's environmental policy. With the development of industry, the agricultural sector and medical institutions, the number of toxic substances that require effective collection, safe storage and further processing is increasing. The lack of proper control can cause significant environmental pollution, so solving this problem is one of the priority tasks.

Hazardous waste management requires an integrated approach, including proper sorting, transportation and specialized treatment. There are several collection points for batteries, fluorescent lamps and electronic equipment in Buchach, but their number remains insufficient to cover the entire population. This leads to the fact that part of the toxic waste ends up in general garbage containers, creating a potential threat to the environment.

Environmental maintenance of enterprises in Buchach is aimed at reducing the negative impact of industrial activities on the environment. The city operates woodworking, food and agricultural enterprises that generate chemical and organic waste. In 2023, inspections were carried out at 15 production facilities, during which violations were detected in the field of storage and transportation of toxic materials.

Hazardous waste is stored at special sites that meet environmental requirements. However, due to the increase in the amount of waste, there is a need to expand these facilities. The biggest problem is the remains of agrochemicals, medical products and used oils, which can penetrate aquifers and harm the environment.

Transportation of hazardous waste is carried out in accordance with current environmental standards. In 2023, more than 30 tons of toxic materials were transported from Buchach to specialized enterprises in neighboring regions. For transportation, sealed containers and certified transport are used, which prevents the leakage of harmful substances during transportation.

Hazardous waste processing is one of the most important aspects of the city's environmental safety. Since Buchach does not have specialized enterprises for the processing of toxic substances, most of the waste is exported for processing to other regions. In 2023, more than 22 tons of electronic components, batteries and chemical reagents were transferred for processing. The city authorities are considering the possibility of creating their own hazardous waste processing enterprise, which will optimize transportation costs and improve the environmental situation.

Public awareness of the correct handling of hazardous waste remains at an insufficient level. Surveys show that only 42% of residents know about specialized collection points for toxic materials. In 2023, 12 educational events were held aimed at increasing the level of environmental culture among the population. However, to achieve more significant results, it is necessary to expand the information campaign and implement additional environmental education measures.

Local authorities are actively cooperating with environmental services to improve the hazardous waste management system. In 2023, the city received funding in the amount of 1.6 million hryvnias for the modernization of the infrastructure for the collection and transportation of toxic materials. It is planned to introduce mobile collection points and expand environmental monitoring to control the management of hazardous waste.

Preventing illegal handling of hazardous waste remains a pressing task for the city. In 2023, 10 cases of illegal dumping of toxic substances in forest belts and near rivers were detected. To combat this problem, it is planned to install video surveillance cameras in high-risk areas, as well as increase fines for violating environmental regulations.

An integrated approach to hazardous waste management contributes to the gradual improvement of the environmental situation in Buchach. The introduction of modern technologies for the collection, transportation, storage and processing of toxic materials allows reducing the level of pollution and protecting natural resources. However, to effectively solve the problem, it is necessary to expand the environmental infrastructure, increase investments in the field of waste processing and strengthen control over compliance with environmental standards.