Hazardous waste management in the city of Zalishchyky, Ternopil region

Hazardous waste management in the city of Zalishchyky, Ternopil region is an important area of ​​environmental policy, since improper handling of toxic substances can cause significant environmental pollution. Given the developed agricultural sector, food industry enterprises and medical institutions, the city generates significant volumes of hazardous waste every year that require special control.

Hazardous waste management includes organizing their collection, sorting, storage and transportation. In Zalishchyky, there are specialized points for receiving toxic substances, including batteries, mercury lamps, pharmaceuticals and electronic waste. However, due to insufficient awareness of residents, a significant part of these materials ends up in general garbage cans, which creates risks for human health and nature.

Environmental maintenance of enterprises plays a key role in preventing pollution of the city territory. Industrial facilities in Zalishchyky generate waste containing chemical reagents, petroleum products, and metal compounds. In 2023, 10 enterprises were inspected, of which 30% had deficiencies in the safe handling of hazardous materials. To improve the situation, it was recommended to introduce modern processing technologies and improve the monitoring system.

Hazardous waste in the city is stored in accordance with environmental standards at specially equipped sites. However, existing landfills have limited capacity, which makes it difficult to dispose of all waste, including medical and industrial substances. The problem is also exacerbated by improper storage of agrochemical residues, which can penetrate the soil and pollute groundwater.

Transportation of hazardous waste from Zalishchyky is carried out by specialized enterprises that have the necessary permits. In 2023, more than 22 tons of toxic substances were transported from the city to specialized enterprises for their further processing. Certified vehicles and sealed containers are used for safe transportation, preventing leakage of hazardous materials during transportation.

Hazardous waste recycling is an important component of the city's environmental strategy. Since Zalishchyky does not have its own toxic materials recycling plants, most of the waste is transported to specialized enterprises in neighboring regions. In 2023, more than 18 tons of batteries, electronic components, and medical products were transferred for recycling. In the future, the city authorities plan to attract investors to create a local enterprise, which will optimize waste processing processes.

Public awareness of the rules for handling hazardous waste needs to be increased. Only 37% of residents are aware of the existence of special collection points for toxic materials. In 2023, 8 educational events were organized aimed at environmental education of the population, but this is not enough to significantly improve the situation. To effectively solve the problem, it is necessary to intensify information campaigns, as well as promote the involvement of public organizations in environmental initiatives.

Local authorities, together with environmental services, are working to improve the hazardous waste management system. In 2023, the city received funding in the amount of 1.6 million hryvnias for the development of infrastructure for the collection and transportation of toxic materials. It is planned to introduce mobile collection points for hazardous substances and modernize existing landfills for their safe storage.

Preventing illegal handling of hazardous waste is one of the priority tasks of the city authorities. In 2023, 7 cases of illegal dumping of toxic materials in forest belts and on the outskirts of the city were recorded. To combat this phenomenon, it is planned to strengthen environmental control, install video surveillance cameras in high-risk areas, and increase fines for violations of environmental legislation.

An integrated approach to hazardous waste management contributes to improving the environmental situation in Zalishchyky. The introduction of modern methods of collecting, transporting, storing and recycling toxic materials helps to reduce environmental pollution and preserve natural resources. However, to achieve sustainable results, it is necessary to expand environmental infrastructure, attract more investment in waste processing and strengthen control over compliance with environmental standards.