Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste
Anthropogenic chemicals are fundamental for maintaining our standard of living in modern society. Unfortunately, some chemicals are persistent and can enter waste streams and, ultimately, the environment. Commonly used household products, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are not...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Pollutants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4672/3/4/34 |
| _version_ | 1797379600319250432 |
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| author | Louis A. Tremblay James M. Ataria Ian Challenger Jacqui Horswell Virginia Baker E. R. Lisa Langer Alan Leckie Olivier Champeau Alma Siggins Grant L. Northcott |
| author_facet | Louis A. Tremblay James M. Ataria Ian Challenger Jacqui Horswell Virginia Baker E. R. Lisa Langer Alan Leckie Olivier Champeau Alma Siggins Grant L. Northcott |
| author_sort | Louis A. Tremblay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Anthropogenic chemicals are fundamental for maintaining our standard of living in modern society. Unfortunately, some chemicals are persistent and can enter waste streams and, ultimately, the environment. Commonly used household products, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are notable sources of contaminants. The aim of this study was to develop an ‘Up-the-Pipe Solutions’ framework to raise awareness within the wider community about the presence and potential risks of the chemicals found in household products. There is potential to reduce the levels of contaminants in waste streams or substitute them with less harmful alternatives by raising awareness. This framework is based on ‘The Natural Step’ and the concept of essentiality; it recognises the importance of engaging with communities to raise awareness of each individual’s contribution to the problem. Our daily activities and behavioural patterns can have adverse consequences, including the release of persistent contaminants in main waste streams from our kitchens, bathrooms, and green wastes. The ‘Up-the-Pipe Solutions’ framework was successfully used in a small community to engage with school children, local authorities, and Māori leaders to raise awareness of chemical pollution. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:26:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df37e421c36a4bf1b8e10eb5da5c7be3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-4672 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:26:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pollutants |
| spelling | doaj.art-df37e421c36a4bf1b8e10eb5da5c7be32023-12-22T14:35:31ZengMDPI AGPollutants2673-46722023-11-013449450610.3390/pollutants3040034Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in WasteLouis A. Tremblay0James M. Ataria1Ian Challenger2Jacqui Horswell3Virginia Baker4E. R. Lisa Langer5Alan Leckie6Olivier Champeau7Alma Siggins8Grant L. Northcott9Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New ZealandCawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New ZealandEkos Kāmahi Ltd., Nelson 7010, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Kenepuru Science Centre, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua 5022, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Kenepuru Science Centre, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua 5022, New ZealandScion, P.O. Box 29 237, Christchurch 8440, New ZealandScion, P.O. Box 29 237, Christchurch 8440, New ZealandCawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Kenepuru Science Centre, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua 5022, New ZealandNorthcott Research Consultants Limited, Hamilton 3200, New ZealandAnthropogenic chemicals are fundamental for maintaining our standard of living in modern society. Unfortunately, some chemicals are persistent and can enter waste streams and, ultimately, the environment. Commonly used household products, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are notable sources of contaminants. The aim of this study was to develop an ‘Up-the-Pipe Solutions’ framework to raise awareness within the wider community about the presence and potential risks of the chemicals found in household products. There is potential to reduce the levels of contaminants in waste streams or substitute them with less harmful alternatives by raising awareness. This framework is based on ‘The Natural Step’ and the concept of essentiality; it recognises the importance of engaging with communities to raise awareness of each individual’s contribution to the problem. Our daily activities and behavioural patterns can have adverse consequences, including the release of persistent contaminants in main waste streams from our kitchens, bathrooms, and green wastes. The ‘Up-the-Pipe Solutions’ framework was successfully used in a small community to engage with school children, local authorities, and Māori leaders to raise awareness of chemical pollution.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4672/3/4/34wastechemical pollutionbehavioural patternThe Natural Stepsurveyschool |
| spellingShingle | Louis A. Tremblay James M. Ataria Ian Challenger Jacqui Horswell Virginia Baker E. R. Lisa Langer Alan Leckie Olivier Champeau Alma Siggins Grant L. Northcott Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste Pollutants waste chemical pollution behavioural pattern The Natural Step survey school |
| title | Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste |
| title_full | Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste |
| title_fullStr | Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste |
| title_full_unstemmed | Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste |
| title_short | Up-the-Pipe Solutions: A Best Practice Framework to Engage Communities in Reducing Chemical Contamination in Waste |
| title_sort | up the pipe solutions a best practice framework to engage communities in reducing chemical contamination in waste |
| topic | waste chemical pollution behavioural pattern The Natural Step survey school |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4672/3/4/34 |
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