Effort to dispose of waste is laudable
Now this is a smart kind of waste.
San Benito County’s Integrated Waste Management leaders have
taken an aggressive and engaging approach toward providing
convenient options for area citizens to properly dispose of
syringes and medication.
Effort to dispose of waste is laudable
Now this is a smart kind of waste.
San Benito County’s Integrated Waste Management leaders have taken an aggressive and engaging approach toward providing convenient options for area citizens to properly dispose of syringes and medication.
It’s an important endeavor because such medication – for instance, if flushed down the toilet – is a pollution hazard for the local water system, potentially harming humans or wildlife. Syringes, meanwhile, can be a safety detriment for workers who handle the trash.
It’s also an important effort because such requirements affect a large and growing portion of the community, especially with the commonality of such diseases as diabetes and the increasing use of pharmaceuticals such as fertility drugs.
As explained by Integrated Waste Management Director Mandy Rose in this week’s Pinnacle, the county’s agency has taken steps toward helping residents comply with a state law passed in 2008 requiring a specific method of disposal. Rose and her staff, however, are going above and beyond to ensure citizens not only can find a nearby drop-off point, but that they also get the correct information about the mandates.
For years, Integrated Waste Management already has hosted monthly disposal days at John Smith Landfill for hazardous waste. That option still exists, but Rose hopes to expand the number of drop-off locations throughout the county to make the compliance easier and more apparent for locals.
Penny Wise in downtown Hollister was the first business involved and has offered the drop-off option for three months. Owner Steve Rosati jumped on board and has been pleased with customers’ response, while Rose noted that she has talked with other locations in Hollister, San Juan and Aromas about offering the option.
The local agency appears to have an understanding that the key to such a program is getting the word out and educating residents on the benefits involved. It is a small inconvenience we believe most citizens would abide by, only if everybody affected knows about the offerings and the effort’s purposes. Here in San Benito County, such pollution could have a particularly amplified effect on the citizenry because the city’s method of wastewater involves percolation into the ground.
Some other districts in the region have established similar programs while garnering cooperation from their residents.
Integrated Waste Management is taking the right steps to get San Benito County’s offerings established as well, to educate citizens why this little extra effort can go a long way toward preventing much bigger problems for the entire community.
