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Abstract An enormous amount of household hazardous waste (HHW) is generated as part of municipal solid waste. This scenario presents problems during disposal, including endangering human health and the environment if improperly disposed. This article examines current HHW recycling efforts in Hammond, Louisiana, with the following objectives: (a) analyze factors and attitudes that motivate residents to participate in the program; (h) quantify various types of HHW; and (c) analyze the e-waste stream in the HHW.
Residents and city officials who were surveyed and interviewed cited that commitment shown hy local authorities and passion to protect the environment and human health were part of their active participation in the program. An awareness program has played a key role in the success of the program. A legislation specific to e-waste is encouraged. While knowledge and information on laws and permit application processes and the promotion of greener products are encouraged, provision of storage or collection facilities and communal transportation will further motivate more residents to participate in the recycling program.
Introduction
Household waste management is a growing problem in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. The U.S. generates at least 4.5 pounds of household solid wastes per day per person (Government Accountability Office [GAO], 2007; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [U.S. EPA], 2008a). In a small town with a population of slightly higher than 20,000, household wastes can easily translate into about 100,000 lb. per day. About 1% of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the U.S. is household hazardous waste (HHW), a fraction that corresponds closely with what is being produced in other developed countries (Pendle & Poll, 1993; Stasiskiene, Gaiziuniene, & Zidoniene, 2011; U.S. EPA, 2011).
In 2006, U.S. residents, businesses, and commercial institutions generated more than 251 million tons of MSW per year and about 8 billion tons of industrial solid wastes (U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b). This enormous amount of waste is both hazardous and nonhazardous. While hazardous waste is regulated by subpart C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or 42 U.S.C. § 6901, nonhazardous waste falls under the management guidelines of RCRA, subpart D (U.S. EPA, 2009a).
HHW is distinguished by four characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity (Hall, Davis, Schwartz, Bryson, & McCrum, 1996). Since these...