A new initiative by the Dominica Solid Waste Management Cooperation (DSWMC) is expected to assist in better waste management on the island and enhance the idea of recycling.
From Monday February 10, 2014 residents on the Atlantic side of the island will be asked to separate recyclable material from regular garbage and place it in clear plastic bags for collection by DSWMC.
It will then be collected and some will go into a PET bottle shredder, while others, like cans, will be sorted out and exported.
This program, the corporation said, will enhance its 3R’s campaign: “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.”
Fleet Collection Manager Floran Mitchel explained that this initiative will begin in the communities of Penville, Vieille Case, Thibaud, Paix Bouche, Bense, Anse –De-Mai, Dos Dane, Calibishie, Woodford Hill, Wesley, Carib Territory, Castle Bruce, Belles, La Plaine, Boetica, Pointe Mulatre, Grand Fond, Sylvania, Morne Jaune, Morne Rachette, Sultan, Riviere Cyrique, Warner, Cochrane, Campbell, Petite Savanne to Dubique.
“We felt it necessary in keeping with the mission statement of solid waste management cooperation,” he said. “Recycling is the way forward and the areas that we designated will cover the Atlantic side of the island. This covers a quarter of the country’s population.”
According to him under the new initiative a garbage truck will visit those areas on a weekly basis.
Residents have been advised to put their regular waste in black or yellow bags whereas the recyclable materials namely tins, paper, plastic, and glass should be put in clear or white bags. Some bags will be made available for purchasing by the public at the various village councils around the island, according to Mitchell.
“We are hoping to start with those communities and as we begin to see how it progress and then we are going to implement that system on the entire island,” he said.
General Manager of the DSWMC, Bristol Lawrence, pointed out further that this initiative was made possible with a grant from the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago. A USD$72,000 truck was donated to the DSWMC for collection of the recyclable material, he said.
The DSWMC is awaiting another truck from the government of Dominica and is presently trying to group other parts of the island to allow implementation of the system.
It’s a crying and disheartening shame that it took the Government of Japan to come to the rescue of the Dominican people as far as our garbage disposal is concerned. A service as important as this must be the responsibility of the Government. For God sake, what is Skerrit doing with our VAT and Income Tax dollars. The Solid Waste Corporation is supposed to benefit from an environmental levy which is imposed on all ships entering the ports of Dominica – what is being done with the collection of that tax? Guess what? Instead of using these taxes for the right reason(s), Skerrit decides to use the proceeds of these taxes to buy cheap political votes in his RED CLINIC and his YES YOU CARE program.
A very welcome development. I hope that now they will also make sure their other vehicles have working rear, indicator and brake lights because that is a real hazard.
That’s a good idea but why did they choose the areas that produce less garbage. Why not Roseau, Portsmouth and Marigot? These places produce a lot of garbage. Ross University alone,is producing a lot of materials that could be recycled.
so every da*n thing has to go to roseau and portsmouth then?there are other communities in dominica you know.well in case you didnt….THERE IS!
I see this as a pilot program, so why would they start with the heavier produces first?
Good effort by the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation. Great job Mr. Bristol Lawrence
Nice looking truck. But, just wait a few months and you’ll see the state of it. The kind of drivers they there will ‘kwazay’ the truck just like what they did the other trucks.
This is good for the country. We should encourage our schools to have separate garbage tins also, so students can do their bit.
Maybe there can eventually be collection areas where people can take cans and bottles and maybe earn ten cents for every item. Just a suggestion.
As the majority of the waste is generated by individuals who purchase fast foods I do hope recycle bins will be placed within those communities to gather the waste.
Don’t tell me it’s not political, why was marigot . left out
Best program ever.After a Christmas party in Dominica I was seperating the bottles and cans from the other gabbages that’s when I realized that i was in Dominica. And that kept me thinking if and when will it happen.Am excited to hear such big step is being taken.Thumbs up DMWSC.
What can I say….some of us may consider recycling to be a new sense, or may need some basic understanding of the word…”RECYCLE” I am not implying we are foolfools, but some of us may not see the need or even understand the reason…please educate…I only found out about recycling soon after hopping off the plane…
But honestly it is a good idea…and as much as we criticize Dominica!!!I can be witness to the fact that Dominica is a very clean country…we may be MAL…but we are PROPRE….
Good job DSWMC. Please keep it up. This island has a serious need to step into current and efficient waste material management. I hope the initiative spreads throughout the entire island and that the people get on board and do their part to keep here undoubtedly the Nature Isle.
Excellent initiative! Best of luck.
Way to go DMWSC.Plastic bottles are a curse on the island.
Encourage all to recycle on The Nature Island
Good luck!
About time for the “nature isle”, but what about the rest of the island? And will someone now tell the locals to stop burning styrofoam and destroying the earth’s atmosphere!
Why they skip Marigot?
that’s exactly what I said when I read the list of places – that’s a glaring omission
Well Considering Dubique and Grand Bay border each other the same could have been said, why leave out Grand Bay?
The whole will be involved in due course. I was also looking to see the word Canefield because Cockrane and Campbell were mentioned. Like me have some patience. I cincerely hope the population catch on to the idea very quickly. Good luck to DSWMC
Sorry the word is ‘ sincerely’
Because, Mari-Got
great initiative
Fabulous news. Hoping all residents comply to assist our Dominica’s Natural Beauty and cleanliness.
where is the cash coming out to buy bags someone please tell me .stupid people.
In Mr. John’s shop, is he your uncle? then your will be free of charge.go RECYCLE, PLEASE….John…use the recommended bags.