From Hazardous to Hopeful
Addressing East Biloxi’s Household Hazardous Waste: A Community-Based Approach to Environmental Justice
KOPC workforce development partners with the City of Biloxi to address household hazardous waste in East Biloxi.
This program aims to educate community members, homeowners, and workforce development students on recognizing household hazardous waste and ensuring that the proper precautions are taken when handling, storing and disposing it. By equipping residents with essential knowledge and tools, KOPC is contributing to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for East Biloxi and beyond.
KOPC Workforce Development Partners with The City of Biloxi to Address Household Hazardous Waste in East Biloxi
As climate change intensifies environmental risks, historically underserved communities like East Biloxi, located in Biloxi, MS, face disproportionate exposure to hazards, including household hazardous waste (HHW). To address this challenge, the Knights of Peter Claver (KOPC) Workforce Development has launched an initiative to empower residents with the knowledge and resources needed for safe HHW management, reducing risks before and during disasters.
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This program combines education and hands-on engagement to train students and community members to identify, handle, and properly dispose of hazardous waste. ​
​Leading this initiative, KOPC's Future Coastal Leaders Fellow, Nicole "Nikki" Ricketts is developing a comprehensive HHW curriculum, with early phases piloted through workshops, training sessions, community meetings, and gatherings. Additionally, workforce development students are conducting community surveys to assess HHW presence and build safe storage solutions for homeowners in need. As part of this process, KOPC is conducting evaluations to assess success at accomplishing learning objectives and the use of provided storage units.​
Our goal is to collaborate with hazardous waste officials, community members, and policymakers to leverage and deploy effective and equitable strategies for HHW disposal, storage, detection, and handling.
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This initiative demonstrates how proactive HHW management and equitable access to educational environmental resources can strengthen community resilience. By equipping residents with essential knowledge and tools, KOPC is contributing to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for East Biloxi and beyond.