Susan Erlenwein, Director
News & Events
Hot Topic! Ozone and Air Quality
Spring marks the beginning of warmer weather, but also the beginning of ozone season in our part of the world, which means it’s time to start thinking of ways to reduce our negative impact on the air quality in Sedgwick County.
As you may know, ozone is a good thing in the upper atmosphere, but a bad thing
at ground level. Ground-level ozone is a man-made pollutant that forms when
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mix with nitrogen oxides
(NOx) in the presence of heat and sunlight, which is why it becomes a greater
problem during the warmer months.
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to lower the standard for the amount of ozone in the air from 0.075 parts per million (ppm) to somewhere between 0.070 and 0.060 ppm. The penalties for not meeting the federal standards could prove costly for residents.
Best Buy Recycles E-waste
Did you know that the Best Buy stores in Wichita recycle old computers and televisions? Regardless of where you bought it, what brand it is, or how old it is, Best Buy will accept the items and make sure they are properly recycled.
Best Buy will accept up to three items per household per day. They accept CRT (glass screen) monitors and TVs up to 32” and flat-screen TVs and monitors up to 60”. They do NOT accept console TVs of any size or tube TVs and monitors larger than 32”. Best Buy charges $10 to recycle televisions and monitors. In exchange for this fee you will receive a $10 Best Buy gift card. For more information see Best Buy’s Web site.
Plastic Bags Get the Boot
Did you know plastic bags require billions of barrels of oil to produce and break down into toxic material? They are fatal to wildlife, they contaminate our soil and waterways, and they cost more to recycle than to produce new. So what do we do?
It's time to cut the plastic and switch to reusable bags, which can be purchased at many retail and online stores. Reusable bags have come a long way in a short time. Large canvass bags are available for heavy items, transparent vegetable bags are a perfect substitute, and nylon bags that fold away into 3" pouches fit into any car's glove box! Just search for reusable bags online and you're bound to find an abundance of variations that will suit your needs. Click here for more easy ways to make a difference in our environment.
No-spill gas cans
Have you accidentally spilled gasoline when filling the tank on a mower, edger, or chainsaw? These spills can contaminate our water and soil. The vapors from these spills release the chemicals that form ozone. Now, no-spill gas cans are available at local merchants. Purchase these cans instead, and remember to recycle or dispose of your old can - don't keep using it and don't give it to someone else!
Mission:
The Department of Environmental Resources is responsible for protecting the environment through conservation of resources. Our department coordinates all components of solid waste management, promotes waste minimization, and provides environmental education for the citizens and businesses of Sedgwick County.
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