Clark County Solid Waste District details annual recycling, programming in new report – Springfield News-Sun

 

2024 Annual Report: Clark County Solid Waste District’s Contributions to Sustainable Development

The Clark County Solid Waste District (SWD) presented its 2024 annual report, detailing significant progress toward key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through comprehensive waste management, recycling, and educational initiatives. The district’s efforts directly support the creation of sustainable communities, responsible consumption patterns, and effective environmental governance.

Programmatic Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The SWD has made substantial strides in promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns by diverting significant waste from landfills and facilitating the reuse of materials. In 2024, the district achieved a 37% recycling rate for residential and commercial waste, surpassing the Ohio EPA’s 25% goal and recycling 57,861 tons.

• Specialty Recycling: Over 120 tons of specialized materials were collected from 3,200 residents, preventing hazardous and bulky items from entering conventional waste streams. Collections included:
  • 43 tons of electronics and TVs
  • 28 tons of household hazardous waste
  • 25 tons of paint
  • 28 tons of furniture and mattresses
• Drop-Off Recycling: The district processed 919 tons of mixed recyclables and 368 tons of flattened cardboard, reinforcing the circular economy.
• Yard Waste Management: A total of 21,000 cubic yards of yard waste was collected from residential and municipal sources, supporting organic material composting and reuse.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The district’s work is fundamental to making Clark County’s human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This is achieved through litter abatement, illegal dumping enforcement, and community beautification projects.

1. Community Cleanup Programs:
   • The Great American Cleanup mobilized over 1,000 volunteers to clean 67 public spaces, removing 225 bags of litter.
   • The 15th Annual Downtown Cleanup saw 58 volunteers remove 55 bags of litter across 40 city blocks.
   • The Adopt-a-Spot program resulted in the removal of 8 bags of litter by board members.
2. Illegal Dumping Abatement: The P.R.I.D.E. (Providing Responsibilities for Inmates through Duties for the Environment) crew removed 192 tons of trash from alleyways, public rights-of-way, and roadsides.

SDG 4: Quality Education

To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, the SWD focused on raising environmental awareness among students and the wider community.

• In-School Programming: 127 classroom programs focusing on recycling, litter prevention, and natural resource conservation were delivered in 21 schools, reaching 2,816 students from K-8.
• Community Outreach: 16 community programs were conducted, engaging 481 residents. The Keep Clark County Beautiful Facebook page reached 33,448 residents, disseminating information on sustainable practices.

Institutional Framework and Partnerships for the Goals

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The SWD operates within a robust institutional framework, collaborating with county agencies to ensure effective governance and enforcement of environmental regulations.

• Enforcement Collaboration: In partnership with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, two environmental enforcement deputies addressed 341 complaint calls, conducted 74 investigations, and oversaw 237 cleanups related to illegal dumping.
• Regulatory Compliance: The Combined Health District partnership ensures compliance with waste management standards. In 2024, this included:
  • 199 trash truck inspections
  • 23 composite facility inspections
  • 394 total inspections conducted in response to 178 complaints
  • 84 scrap tire inspections

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The district’s success relies on revitalizing partnerships for sustainable development, engaging public agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and community volunteers.

• University Internships: Four Wittenberg University interns completed 27 hours of community service.
• Future Business Engagement: The new “Make Clark County A Litter Bit Better” program for 2025 will partner directly with businesses to organize cleanups and promote corporate recycling.

Strategic Vision and Future Directions

Management Plan for Long-Term Sustainability

The district’s 15-year management plan, ratified by entities representing 94% of the county’s population, aims to ensure safe and adequate waste management and expand recycling opportunities. The primary challenge identified is raising resident awareness of available programs, which the district addresses through continuous education and outreach efforts in line with SDG 4 and SDG 11.

Expansion of Recycling Infrastructure in 2025

To further advance SDG 12, the SWD will deploy a new 15-yard recycling container at community events and has placed ClearStream recycling bins in Veterans Park. These initiatives expand public access to recycling facilities, promoting responsible consumption at large public gatherings.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article highlights the Solid Waste District’s (SWD) commitment to education. It mentions specific “Education programs” offered to K-8 classrooms that focus on “recycling, litter prevention and natural resource conservation,” which directly contributes to education for sustainable development.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The core activities of the SWD, such as managing residential and commercial recycling, cleaning up illegally dumped waste, and removing trash from public spaces like alleyways and roadsides, are central to creating sustainable, clean, and safe communities. The article details efforts to manage municipal solid waste and improve the local environment.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• This goal is addressed through the article’s extensive focus on waste management. The SWD’s programs for specialty recycling (electronics, hazardous waste), drop-off recycling, and yard waste collection all aim to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills by promoting recycling and proper disposal, which are key components of sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article demonstrates the importance of partnerships in achieving waste management goals. It explicitly states that the SWD “contracts services with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Combined Health District.” It also mentions partnerships with Wittenberg University for interns, C&S Tree Service for yard waste, the Ohio EPA for grants and oversight, and local businesses for new cleanup initiatives.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
   • The article supports this by describing how the SWD provides “127 classroom programs in 21 schools that reached 2,816 students” with a focus on “recycling, litter prevention and natural resource conservation.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • This target is directly addressed by the SWD’s efforts in managing “57,861 tons of residential and commercial recycling,” conducting “237 cleanups” of illegal dumping sites, and removing “192 tons of trash from alleyways, public right of ways and roadsides.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
   • The article details the SWD’s success in this area, noting that Clark County achieved a 37% recycling rate, surpassing the 25% state goal. It quantifies the recycled materials, including “120 tons of items such as electronics, waste, paint and furniture” and “57,861 tons” of residential and commercial recycling.
2. Target 12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
   • The SWD’s community outreach, including “16 community programs that 481 residents attended” and reaching “33,448 residents” through its Facebook page, demonstrates efforts to inform the public about recycling and waste management opportunities.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The article provides clear examples of such partnerships: the SWD’s contracts with public entities (Sheriff’s Office, Health District), collaboration with civil society (1,000+ volunteers for The Great American Cleanup), and engagement with the private sector (“Make Clark County A Litter Bit Better,” a business volunteer cleanup program).

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Number of educational programs: 127 classroom programs were conducted in 2024.
• Number of students reached: 2,816 students were reached through these programs.
• Number of schools involved: 21 schools participated in the educational initiatives.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Volume of trash removed from public spaces: 192 tons of trash were removed by the P.R.I.D.E. crew, plus 225 bags from the Great American Cleanup and 55 bags from the Downtown Cleanup.
• Number of illegal dumping complaints and cleanups: The district handled 341 complaint calls which led to 237 cleanups.
• Municipal recycling rate: Clark County’s residential and commercial recycling rate was 37%.
• Waste management inspections: 199 trash trucks and 23 composite facilities were inspected.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Total tonnage of recycled materials: 57,861 tons of residential and commercial materials were recycled.
• Tonnage of specific recycled items: The article breaks down specialty recycling into 43 tons of electronics, 28 tons of hazardous waste, 25 tons of paint, and 28 tons of furniture.
• Number of residents participating in recycling programs: 3,200 residents used the specialty recycling service.
• Number of residents reached through awareness campaigns: 33,448 residents were reached via the Keep Clark County Beautiful Facebook page.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Number of partners: The article identifies partnerships with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Combined Health District, Ohio EPA, Wittenberg University, C&S Tree Service, and local businesses.
• Number of community volunteers: Over 1,000 volunteers participated in the Great American Cleanup.
• Number of interns engaged: Four Wittenberg University interns completed 27 hours of community service.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 4: Quality Education	4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development.	Number of classroom programs: 127 Number of students reached: 2,816 Number of schools reached: 21
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, focusing on waste management.	Tons of trash removed from public ways: 192 Number of illegal dumping cleanups: 237 Residential and commercial recycling rate: 37%
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through recycling.	Total tons recycled: 57,861 Tons of specialty recycling: 120 Number of residents using specialty recycling: 3,200
	12.8: Ensure people have relevant information for sustainable lifestyles.	Number of community programs: 16 Number of residents reached on social media: 33,448
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Number of volunteers in cleanup events: 1,000+ Number of interns from university partnership: 4 Existence of contracts with public entities (Sheriff’s Office, Health District)

Source: springfieldnewssun.com