The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation is looking to reduce the amount of plastics that go to the landfill.
Acting Manager of the Corporation, Florian Mitchel, says with the commissioning of a recycling plant, reducing plastic waste and other material would be more efficient and effective in Dominica.
He said, “At at our facility, we have a PET [plastic] shredder so we are asking the public to participate. Even if there is no recycling system in your community, you can sort your waste and separate your plastic before taking it to the landfill. After the plant is commissioned, we want to shred this material and export it.”
In 2013, some 299 million tonnes of plastic was produced worldwide and a large percentage of that ends up in landfills and oceans each year.
According to the United Nations Development Program, 22-48% of plastics is disposed of in landfills taking up valuable space.
The average plastic can take up to 450 years to decompose.
The first step toward proper management of recyclable plastic is to put a small tax on beverage container (like coke bottles and cans). Upon return a deposit is collected. In my country, this system has resulted in about 95% return on all glass or plastic bottles to the recycling facilities. Many people get some extra income by collecting bottles and cans and amount of waste is reduced. The shredded plastic is exported for further uses and recycling.
We must utilize what is recyclable and dispose of them appropriately. It decreases wastage. It will also save time and will be less expensive to dispose of the garbage/junk.
Most of what I use when no longer needed is recyclable.
Dominica is still new to this. In time there will be no more imports of plastics of every nature. For one, they will not be available for purchase overseas since all progressive countries have taken steps to eliminate them.
Dominican consumers that are not yet fully acquainted with recycling will, in time, comprehend the importance of recycling. Therefore, teach them accordingly.
I have a list of what is recyclable and what is not which was sent to every household in addition to information for separating those that are recyclable and those that are not. The Internet should have this information.
Happy recycling!
PS. We could begin by banning the import of polystyrene containers and plastic plates and replace them with biodegradable cardboard/compressed paper substitutes. Has anyone ever considered making disposable cutlery out of biodegradable bamboo? That would be a good little industry for someone to start!
A lot of people do not have the garbage bins available from Solid Waste as they find them too expensive. However, we could start by separating plastics from other garbage by packing it in its own, separate bag and putting it by the roadside seperately.. Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to burn that plastic in your yard. It smells nasty, is not good for the environment but worse still can give you cancer.
Good initiative by DSWMC. We cannot be a nature Isle and not be recycling.
Bring back glass bottles with deposits….there were lots of advantages!
Why are we bent on doing things back to front in this country LORD? Why did solid waste/ government/ village councils go on a recycling education drive as well as starting a recycling programs in one of the communities which sends the highest quantity of plastics to the landfill and gradually move the program over the entire island? SMH….. We will learn one day….
Heared this tale so many times?What has happened to have. Recycled bins in the villages because that is were most of the plastic tins and bottles are collected from?