General Manager of the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), Florian Mitchel has revealed that up-to-date, a total of 2100 derelict vehicles have been removed across Dominica after embarking on a campaign in 2017.
He made the disclosure during a press conference held recently.
The DSWMC is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment and encourages owners of derelict vehicles to contact the corporation if assistance is needed.
“From 2017 to now we have removed an excess of 2100 vehicles from the island of Dominica throughout the streets,” he said.
He highlighted projects that the corporation is spearheading currently, with the guidance of the Ministry of Environment.
One concerns the enhanced natural environment, and deals with the collection and removal of derelict vehicles across the island, while another project deals with community waste improvement storage.
“The community waste improvement storage seeks to ensure that every household within the state is equipped with a bin in terms of storage,” he explained. “You would well imagine the issue of non-compliance. If you do not have sufficient bins, you will have an issue of littering.”
Mitchel went on to state that the whole issue of waste separation is a process that the corporation is trying to inculcate.
He indicated that one recognizes that on an island as small as Dominica landfill space is very rare and the cost implication of building another landfill may be in the region of 20 plus million dollars.
“That is why one of the strategies of the Dominica Solid Waste Corporation is that of waste diversion,” Mitchell explained.
He continued, “We have recognized the need to partner, not just with local stakeholders, but also that of regional institutions.”
Mitchel said Dominica has done a lot where recycling is concerned.
“What we have noticed is Dominica is the only island in the region that has a fully functional, everyday [garbage] collection,” Mitchel noted. “That is not done anywhere else in the region.”
Meanwhile, Mitchel revealed that the DSWMC has installed more than 25 bins in the City of Roseau and plans to install another 25 soon, in order to greatly enhance the infrastructure.
According to him, as of 2020, the DSWMC has distributed more than 1700 residential bins to varying communities, and over 200 recycling crates.
Mr. Mitchel advises that landfill space is very rare and the cost implication of building another landfill may be in the region of 20 plus million dollars. This would be far less critical if we were not disposing of the garbage from around 7 cruise-ships per week, some of which bring in excess of 5,000 tourists. Cruise-ships are viewed upon by the Tourism Ministry as something wonderful. I disagree.
Have you been to Bath Estate is like there they hiding all old cars that have nothing left on them. Body men cut the pieces to make patches to repair other old cars. Some of them blocking the gutter and rats hiding inside them. I have contacted the health dept. and was told they are working in other areas. That was 3 years ago.
Why is it that the like to compare the situation in Dominica with the other “neighboring islands”? Or the world for that matter. Here in Mahaut down in the Belfast area the garbage deposit site is on the rside of the road between residential houses which is very disrespectful to the people of the community. At nights many dogs would come and tear those garbage bags looking for food. Some of those houses are less than 50 feet away from this garbage collecting site and that needs to be changed without delay. Garbage should not have to be deposited for collection in people’s yard. When you open your door in the morning the first thing you see is a heap of garbage of all sorts; from furniture to construction waste materials. There must be a proper place to dispose of such garbage. So let’s see you and the “environmental” officer do something about this nastiness in the Belfast area. The stench is killing us.
A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. A clean environment contributes significantly to the healthy wellbeing of the inhabitants of a country.
Any effort made by the relevant authorities to rid the country of derelict vehicles, excessive garbage, and the implementation of the proper disposal of person, household and corporate waste, should be both applauded and appreciated.
In one OECS country that I know for sure, every home received a proper, factory-made garbage bin from government. I was told that the collection and disposal of garbage is regular and like clockwork. Litter wardens patrol most communities. Dominica can adopt such enviable practices.