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Monthly Archives: October 2011

SWAB meeting Nov. 2

The Solid Waste Advisory Board, SWAB, will next meet on Nov. 2, 2011 at the Elm Street Conference Center, 1730 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, Missouri.

 

The SWAB, primarily advises the department on:

  • Development of improved methods of solid waste minimization, recycling and resource recovery;
  • Waste management issues pertinent to the districts;
  • Effects of proposed rules and regulations upon solid waste management within the districts;
  • Problems experienced by solid waste management districts in managing solid waste within their area; and
  • Criteria to be used in awarding grants pursuant to section 260.335.

 

SWAB has 25 members.  The 20 chairpersons of the solid waste management districts in Missouri, two representatives of the solid waste industry, two public members with a demonstrated interest in solid waste management issues, and a representative of the recycling or composting industry.

 For more information regarding SWAB meetings, minutes and agendas visit: Solid Waste Advisory Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas  

If you would like more information regarding solid waste, please visit the Solid Waste Management Program Website   or contact the program at 573-751-5401.

Posted on Oct 26, 2011

Green Tips – Fall Holidays

For Halloween or fall celebrations, instead of purchasing a new costume, second hand clothing or thrift shops provide a wide array of costume choices with just a little bit of imagination.  If there is not a local thrift store, consider homemade costumes or renting a costume.  While trick-or-treating, take a reusable bucket or bag instead of a disposable bag for candy.  Also, if the weather is pleasant, stick close to the neighborhood and walk from house to house instead of driving. Finally, in place of sending paper greeting cards or invitations, consider emailing friends and family, or giving them a phone call.

 

Consider purchasing reusable tableware and use it throughout the year instead of disposable plates and utensils. While shopping for food and goodies, remember to bring reusable shopping bags.  If you have a large gathering, plan ahead and provide bags or bins for your guests’ recyclable items and take them to the community recycling center.  Again, appropriate food scraps may be composted after the meal. For more information check the program’s information on composting or starting a compost pile.

Make an effort to celebrate the holidays close to home. However, if traveling is necessary for the holidays, make sure vehicles have the correct tire pressure for optimal gas mileage and carpool whenever possible. If the weather is nice, turn down the thermostat a little and go outside and play a game to keep warm.

 

For additional environmentally-friendly tips, please visit the department’s Green Tips.

 

If you would like more information regarding solid waste, please visit the Solid Waste Management Program Website   or contact the program at 573-751-5401.

Posted on Oct 24, 2011

Oct. 29 is unused drug take back day!

Get unused and expired meds out of your home

As part of a national drug take back initiative, several communities will be holding prescription drug take back events on Saturday Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Department of Natural Resources encourages everyone with unused medications to take them to a drop off point in your area to have them properly disposed of.  Click here for a list of drop off locations.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue and provides a venue for folks in Missouri and throughout the country to dispose of unwanted drugs. 

The event is hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration and several partners throughout Missouri including state and local law agencies and the Missouri Rural Water Association.  Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds—188 tons—of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 locations throughout the United States.

It was once widely accepted that flushing unused medications down the toilet was the best way to dispose of them.  While flushing excess medications down the toilet or pouring them down the drain prevents misuse of the substance, this can cause other environmental problems. The medicines can harm the beneficial bacteria that are responsible for breaking down waste in the septic system or wastewater treatment plant. Municipal wastewater treatment facilities are not engineered for pharmaceutical removal. Many of the pharmaceutical medicines are not completely captured during the treatment process and may end up in nearby lakes, rivers or groundwater, where they can be reintroduced into the drinking water supply. Unused portions of prescription medicines must be disposed of properly to avoid harm to wildlife, pets, and people.  

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are high. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.  Utilizing the drug take back event can help lessen the environmental and social impact of these pharmaceuticals.

For a printable brochure on the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals, visit dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2291.pdf.

Posted on Oct 24, 2011

DNR ensures safe drinking water for Missourians

A safe, reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. It creates jobs, attracts industry and investment and provides for the health and welfare of citizens in ways ranging from disease prevention to fire suppression.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Water Protection Program has the important mission of ensuring each of  the state’s 2,788 public water systems provide safe drinking water to every visitor and resident of Missouri.

Public water systems in Missouri face increasingly complex challenges, and overall, public water systems in Missouri have an extraordinary compliance record.  The department requires all public water systems to monitor for 91 different regulated chemicals and microbiological contaminants on a regular schedule, and take corrective action if any health-based standards are exceeded. The department performs monitoring of drinking water, conducts periodic inspections and provides compliance assistance on water supply problems to cities, water districts, subdivisions, mobile home parks and other facilities.

A state-approved laboratory must analyze drinking water samples and report the results to the department. The majority of testing is done at the Department of Natural Resources’ and the Department of Health and Senior Services’ labs at no cost to the systems.  The sample results are logged and tracked by the department, to ensure facilities are providing safe drinking water. When violations do occur, that often is the first identification of a problem and can be the first step toward correcting it.

In addition, the department’s Water Protection Program reviews plans and issues permits for the construction and operation of public drinking water systems. Financial assistance is provided through grants and low-interest loans to local governments to assist in the construction of drinking water facilities.

Posted on Oct 06, 2011

Salem Electronic Waste Collection Event – Oct. 15, 2011

The City of Salem is holding an Electronic Waste (E-Waste) collection event.

The event is primarily for household generated E-waste.  The fee for each residential computer monitor or television is $5.  There is no charge for other residentially generated electronics.  Businesses may only dispose of televisions at the event and pay a fee of $10 per unit.

 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. – Oct. 15, 2011
City S/W Construction parking lot
3rd Street and Grand Avenue
Salem

If you would like more information regarding solid waste, please visit the Solid Waste Management Program website.

Or for more information regarding:

Schedule of Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Household Hazardous Waste

Scrap Tires and Illegal Dumping:

E-cycle Missouri

Posted on Oct 05, 2011

Department emergency responders oversee mineral oil release from damaged transformer

A department emergency responder managed the cleanup of a mineral oil release after a transformer fell out of a truck and ruptured in DeKalb County.

On Sept. 29, 2011, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H notified the department that King City Lumber was transporting a large transformer from Lost Creek Wind Farm, King City, to the manufacturer, when the transformer fell out of the truck and ruptured. The release was estimated at approximately 200 gallons of non-Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mineral oil. The incident occurred at the junction of Highway 169, Highway 31 and State Route E just east of Union Star, Missouri.

The King City Lumber crew worked to mitigate the spill. Representatives of Lost Creek and the Missouri Department of Transportation were on scene. King City Lumber hired Hazmat Response to respond as well.

The department dispatched an emergency responder from its regional office in Kansas City to assess and oversee the cleanup of the area and to determine the extent of the environmental damage. The spill was isolated and contained to a gravel area for excavation. Environmental impact was minimal.

The Environmental Emergency Response section is called to the scene of more than 300 emergencies each year, including fires, traffic accidents, leaking storage tanks and other incidents that could have a negative environmental impact. The department’s 24-hour spill line receives more than 1,600 incident reports annually.

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the spill line at (573) 634-2436. To report an environmental concern visit the online form. For more information visit the Environmental Services Program Web page. For more information regarding the department, visit the department’s Web page.

Posted on Oct 04, 2011