INDICATOR

 STATUS

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Center is a permanent location in the city where residents dispose of their hazardous waste so that it can be properly managed. This indicator looks at the total volume the center collects, the number and percent of Santa Monica households using the center, and the cumulative number and percent of Santa Monica households using the collection center since 2000. The target for this indicator focuses on increasing participation at the HHW Center. The target is to achieve 50% cumulative participation rate at the HHW Center by 2010.

Volume: Total volume of HHW collected from Santa Monica residents at the Household Hazardous Waste Center is increasing. In 2001 there were 54,808 pounds collected; by 2006, the volume was 114,600 pounds, down somewhat from its high of 132,000 pounds in 2005.

HHW Center Use: The number of households which use the Center has in general been increasing. Some of the same households may have visited the center in more than one calendar year. In 2000, 1,014 households visited.  That number steadily increased through 2005, when 3,059 visitors used the center.  By 2006, that number dropped slightly, to 3,012. The cumulative percent of SM households using the city's collection center since 2000 has reached almost 36% of Santa Monica household, showing marked progress toward the 50% participation rate target for this indicator.

Household Hazardous Waste: Household hazardous waste is the waste generated by residents through the use of hazardous or potentially hazardous products in the home.  Household hazardous wastes pose a substantial hazard to human and environmental health when handled improperly.  Among the different materials disposed of at the HHW Center during 2006, 56% was either oil-based or latex paint. Household and auto batteries were next most common at 11%; flammable solids were 7%.

The City of Santa Monica employs a two-fold strategy for hazardous waste use reduction. The first is reduction of household hazardous waste purchased by residents. The second is to increase the number and amount of existing household hazardous wastes that are disposed of properly at the HHW center.  Raising awareness of the dangers of improper disposal of HHW and the existence and convenience of the HHW Center has boosted community performance in this indicator.

An increase in volume collected at the center can mean that more people are disposing of their HHW properly, which is a positive step. It could also mean that individual users are purchasing more HHW, an undesirable outcome. 

E - Waste: Although not measured by this indicator, another significant and increasing part of the waste stream is electronic or e-waste. E-waste consists of components of electronic equipment--including metals, plastic and glass—which can be reused or recycled, while others may present environmental hazards if not managed correctly.  The Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 mandates the collection of a fee from the consumer to offset the cost of dealing with the hazardous materials found in most electronics.  The Act also promotes source reduction of hazardous materials in electronics sold in the state and in state procurement.

To meet the e-waste disposal challenge, Santa Monica’s Solid Waste Management Division offers a comprehensive drop-off program for residents and businesses. Solid Waste provides electronic recycling six days a week at the Santa Monica Refuse and Transfer Station. All electronic waste is accepted. The convenience of Transfer Station disposal compares favorably with the approach of surrounding municipalities which offer e-waste disposal weekends-only basis, or less frequently.  The volume e-waste collected in 2006 was 42,000 pounds, down from 48,000 in 2005.