In this issue:
- Commission creates Solid Waste Task Force
- Fair Housing
- Drug-Free Drains
- Electronic Recycling Event to be held in May
- Get involved in your community
Commission creates Solid Waste Task Force
Citizen group to develop recommendations for future services
The City Commission is in the process of reviewing the city’s solid waste services. As part of that process, the City Commission will appoint a citizen task force to develop recommendations regarding the long-term solid waste service options for the citizens of Lawrence. The task force will be in place this spring and have approximately one year to review and make recommendations to the City Commission for implementation.
The task force has been asked to articulate and document the services currently provided through solid waste user fees, articulate issues driving recommendations for service changes, consider solid waste services that may be included in the long-range plan for the Lawrence community (such as, variable rate pricing, curb side recycling, yard trimmings collection, glass, bulky item collection, and so on), seek community-wide input in the options for desired solid waste services, develop recommendations for the Lawrence City Commission regarding implementation of services or changes to existing services, and propose time lines and educational outreach to achieve recommended service levels.
Citizen feedback will be an important step in the process of reviewing the city’s solid waste services. Residents can log on to lawrenceks.org/swtf and submit feedback to the Solid Waste Task Force.
The task force will provide recommendations to the City Commission by March 2012; follow the progress of the task force online by visiting lawrenceks.org/swtf.
Fair Housing
What does it mean for your community?
The City of Lawrence is committed to ensuring fair housing practices are upheld. Discrimination can occur when renting an apartment or home – know your rights and report discrimination promptly. Fair practices must be upheld when buying, selling or negotiating the purchase of property.
The city’s Human Relations Division investigates complaints and inquiries regarding fair housing. Find out more online at lawrenceks.org/legal/whatisdiscrimination. The Lawrence Human Relations Division is now located at Municipal Court, 1006 New Hampshire. Call us at (785) 832-3310.
Join us on Saturday, April 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a free home Energy Efficiency Presentation on the Take Charge Challenge and information regarding Fair Housing Laws at the South Park Recreation Center, 1141 Massachusetts immediately following the Earth Day Parade. For more information, call (785) 832-3467.
Drug-Free Drains
Help protect our water from pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Every day, the average adult uses nine personal care products that contain 126 unique compounds that could end up in our water. In addition to traces of products like shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen and cosmetics, minute amounts of prescription and over-the-counter drugs also make their way into water. They should be limited or prevented from entering our environment.
Due to our increased use of these products, very tiny amounts of compounds and drugs can be detected in conventional treatment plant outflow and end up in creeks, streams and rivers. While there is no evidence these trace amounts pose a risk to human health, scientists can sometimes find interference with aquatic organisms, and studies continue. Meanwhile, it is prudent to control what we put into water, and everyone’s help is important.
In addition to following product recommendations for use and disposal, and decreasing use when possible, you can help keep water clean by simply not flushing unused medication or personal care products down the toilet. Controlling what goes down the drain is the easiest and most effective way to protect the environment – and you can start today!
Douglas County residents can call (785) 832-3030 to schedule an appointment to drop off excess or expired prescription and over-the-counter medication at the City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. This facility cannot accept controlled or narcotic substances, such as prescription painkillers like Percocet, or others like Xanax. If residents cannot take their medication to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, they can use the kitty litter or coffee ground method recommended by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This involves crushing or dissolving solid medications in water, coffee or another liquid, then making a paste by adding this liquid to a substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter. The final step is to put the paste in a closed container and place the container in the trash.
Electronic Recycling Event to be held in May
In an effort to encourage recycling of unused or obsolete electronic equipment, the City of Lawrence will host an electronic recycling event on Saturday, May 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Free State High School north parking lot, 4700 Overland Drive.
Items accepted for recycling include televisions, video and audio equipment, computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, household batteries, microwaves and other small appliances, cell phones and other hand-held devices. There is a $10 recycling fee per computer CRT monitor and a $10 to $20 recycling fee per television depending on the size and configuration of the television. There is no recycling fee for other electronic equipment. Fees may be paid by cash or check.
Electronic recycling at this event will be provided by The Surplus Exchange.
Items not accepted at this event include large appliances and household hazardous waste such as fluorescent light bulbs, paint, pesticides, and compressed gas cylinders.
For further information, please contact the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division at (785) 832-3030 or visit LawrenceRecycles.org.
Get involved in your community
Volunteer to serve on a city board or commission!
There are many opportunities for citizens to get involved in local government. The city has dozens of volunteer boards available that focus on different aspects of life in Lawrence.
You can log on to the city website and see what vacancies are available now – visit lawrenceks.org/boards for a complete listing and an electronic form to apply.