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Tag Archives: solid waste

Covert Cameras Catch Illegal Dumpers in KC

They thought they were getting away with it, but illegal dumpers in the Kansas City area have been finding out lately that their trips to some dump sites around the city over the past two years have been secretly taped by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Twelve individuals have seen their day in court and have paid fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per dumping incident as a result of being identified in some of the more than 50 cases that were caught on concealed cameras placed by the department at known dump sites in the city. In addition to those 12, several bench warrants have been issued for failure to appear and several suspects have court dates pending. The department continues to work with local authorities to bring charges against several suspects who have yet to be identified or cannot be located.

One individual was fined $500 for dumping five scrap tires that would have cost him about $15 if he would have disposed of them properly. Another person was fined $750 after dumping a refrigerator on the side of the road – two blocks away from a recycling facility. Department staff continue to work with local agencies to identify and locate those caught on camera.

Concerned organizations and agencies such as the Kansas City Neighborhood and Community Services Department, Kansas City Police Department, city and county prosecutors and several others have worked cooperatively with the department.

The project is reaching its fifteenth anniversary and has helped many counties prosecute those who decided to leave their waste on the side of the road instead of taking it to a permitted facility. Project staff cover the entire state providing assistance to local agencies. Multiple types of equipment are used, ranging from cameras that can read a license plate at more than 150 yards to some cameras that are as small as a golfing tee.

Several of the dumping videos are available online at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/dumping-videos.htm. Higher quality illegal dumping video clips are available to broadcast media outlets.  To download the video clips, contact Victoria Lovejoy at 573-526-1837.

For more information regarding illegal dumping or to report illegal dumping using the department’s online form, please visit  http://dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/dumping/enf_instruct.htm or contact the department’s Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or at 573-751-5401.

 

Posted on Dec 14, 2011

Do not Flush Medicines!

Studies over the years have found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water supplies. Scientists are concerned about the effect these pharmaceuticals are having on the environment and wildlife. It is important to properly manage pharmaceutical waste to minimize any potential for adverse health effects to individuals from exposure to these substances in their drinking water.

 

Flushing medicines can harm the beneficial bacteria that break down waste in septic systems and wastewater treatment plants. Municipal wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to remove all the ingredients from the medicines in the treatment process. Help us keep Missouri’s land and water resources safe by reducing the amount of pharmaceutical waste you generate and learning how to properly dispose of any leftover medications.

 

To help reduce pharmaceutical waste:

 

  • Take prescription medicines as directed.
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your prescription or other medicines.
  • Only purchase and use essential pharmaceuticals.

The Proper Disposal of Household Pharmaceutical Waste brochure has more information regarding drug disposal.  

Posted on Dec 01, 2011

Prescription drug collection boxes installed

 

New drug collection boxes were recently installed in police stations in cities across Franklin County.

Residents can now drop expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs into the secure, metal boxes located at the police stations 24 hours a day. Providing individuals with a secure and convenient way to dispose of prescription drugs will help prevent diversion and abuse and demonstrates sound environmental stewardship.

The Proper Disposal of Household Pharmaceutical Waste brochure has more information regarding drug disposal.  

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

 

Or click for more information regarding:

 

Schedule of Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events; Household Hazardous Waste ; Permitted Facilities; Scrap Tires and Illegal Dumping; e-cycle Missouri or Reduce. Reuse, Recycle. 

Posted on Nov 30, 2011

Thanksgiving – No Time for Waste

The idea around Thanksgiving is to take a pause from our normal routines, give thanks for our bounty and share with others. Consider giving canned goods, fresh produce, or a turkey to a homeless shelter or other local kitchen helping to prepare meals for those less fortunate during this holiday season.  Make plates of leftovers and take some to elderly neighbors who will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Perhaps there is a family near you struggling to make ends meet who would be happy to receive some extra food.

 

Many of us prepare too much and end up wasting and throwing away food. Half of the food we make on Thanksgiving ends up in the garbage, according to Green Living Ideas. Roughly one third of the world’s food supply approximately 1.3 billion tons produced for human consumption annually, is wasted or lost, according to a study commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

 

There are ways to either use Thanksgiving leftovers or save them for a later date. Turkey and mashed potatoes may be frozen. Use cranberries to make muffins or a spread for sandwiches. Leftover rolls can be frozen and used to make croutons, breadcrumbs or stuffing for other recipes. Throw a turkey carcass into a stew pot and make some stock for soup and freeze for use on another day. Turkey, green beans and corn are great ingredients for a turkey pot pie. Look for a new, sweet potato-turkey hash recipe.

 

Enjoy the day and share the bounty with those around you. Happy Thanksgiving from the Solid Waste Management Program!   

 

 

Posted on Nov 22, 2011

Nov. 5 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event – Chillicothe

The City of Chillicothe and Livingston County is holding a Household Hazardous Waste, Electronic (E-Waste) and Scrap Tire collection event on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The event is for residential use only. No business or commercial waste will be accepted.

  • 9 a.m. until noon – Nov. 5, 2011
    County Road and Bridge Barn
    904 Gilbert Street
    Chillicothe

For more information, please contact: Ann Hamilton at (660) 359-5636, ext. 20

The fee for each residential television is $10.  The fee for computer system mice, keyboards, copy machines, printers and fax machines is $5 each. There is no charge for miscellaneous residentially generated electronics such as stereos and phones.  There is also no charge for household and rechargeable batteries, cell phones, intact car batteries, and ink cartridges (with no broken or cracked casings).

Appliances are limited to washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, ovens, microwaves, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and hot water heaters. The fee for each appliance collected will be $5. Scrap metal will be collected free of charge.

Tires must be clean, free of debris and rimless when submitted. Four standard tires will be accepted per licensed driver without fee. Above the four-tire limit, additional charges are as follows:

$1 each for standard passenger tires (or smaller)

$4 each for oversized tires (sizes being 36 inches and above)

and $10 each for tractor tires.

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

 

Or click for more information regarding:

 

Schedule of Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events; Household Hazardous Waste ; Permitted Facilities; Scrap Tires and Illegal Dumping; e-cycle Missouri or Reduce. Reuse, Recycle.

Posted on Nov 04, 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

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

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

Solid Waste Advisory Board Will Meet Oct. 5

The Solid Waste Advisory Board, SWAB, will next meet on October 5, 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.

 

Visit Solid Waste Advisory Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas for more information.


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 Sep 23, 2011

Green Tips – Fall Season Composting

Green Tips – Fall Season Composting
Fall is a wonderful time to visit the local farmers’ market for pumpkins, squash, apples and other seasonal favorites. Locally grown produce is usually grown within a 100-mile radius, and purchasing locally saves valuable energy as well as helping the local economy. While some pumpkins can be used for pies, other pumpkins, gourds and melons may be cut up and composted once the season is over. Fall is the perfect time to start your own compost pile at home. Yard trimmings, vegetative food waste including fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, and coffee grounds and filters can all be placed in a compost bin.

For more information check the program’s information on composting or starting a compost pile.

The fall holiday season is a good time to be green by remembering a few simple steps.

For more information, visit Green Tips.

Locate recycling facilities in your area

or visit the program’s Solid Waste Web site.

 

Posted on Sep 15, 2011