THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment’s recently launched ‘Pick It up Guyana Campaign’ is gaining momentum, as Caribbean Containers Inc. and the University of Guyana are collaborating in an exercise to recycle disposable waste. The Subject Minister, who described the initiative as a bold and welcoming one, pointed out that the move to have a recycling industry developed in Guyana is an important method of dealing effectively with waste management.
The campaign which has not been restricted to the Capital city has already been taken to several parts of the country including Essequibo, Berbice and Linden. The initiative in the mining community of Mahdia is spearheaded by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Speaking at a press conference at Jenman House, Botanical Gardens, Minister Persaud said,  “We are also looking at the educational aspect of the programme and, thus far, the programme has been successful….we will also be collaborating with the Ministry of Education to get the programme into schools.”
The Environment and Natural Resources Minister chided the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), for their complacency as there are noticeable garbage piles across the city, some of which have been there for weeks.
Central Government has intervened on several occasions to remedy the situation through assisting with financing to pay garbage collectors their monthly wages and purchase of waste disposable trucks.

ENFORCEMENT
Despite the calls for citizens to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner, the calls have fallen on deaf ears and the issue of garbage build-up in and around the city continues, with government looking to alternatives to remedy the situation.
This will see the Ministry of Natural Resources teaming up with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to ensure that the stipulated laws are enforced.
Thus far, there is a draft of the Law which is currently being finalised at the level of the Board.
“After this, we would be revising and updating new regulations to have wardens out and to develop a ticketing system both for individuals and businesses. These wardens would also have the power to issue tickets to offenders…Failing to pay the fine persons will find themselves before the courts,” Minister Persaud said.
The Board has also been actively engaging the Judiciary with the aim of having an environmental court established, to toughen up the enforcement of delinquent waste disposers.
Meanwhile, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean Containers, Ronald Webster, while lauding the Ministry’s Campaign stated that it is necessary as investors’ judgment of a country is oftentimes based on its environment.
“When investors come into a country, they look at how the environment is treated and this gives an investor an image of the country. If they see garbage their first reaction would be that there is a lack of discipline in the management of that country,” he said.
He noted that the Ministry’s initiative is an essential tool for the future development of the country, and promised a successful recycling industry. He also noted that “reprocessing” is important as it helps conserve resources.
Caribbean Containers will open the recycling industry at Farm, East Bank Demerara and will also be manufacturing cardboard bins while the University of Guyana (UG) will fabricate aluminium bins to take off cans.
UG’s Director of Environmental Engineering Solution, Isidro Espinosa stated that the aluminum garbage disposable bins will significantly aid in the separation of disposable and collectable waste for the purpose of recycling.
Since the launch of the campaign, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has been steadfast in maintaining a clean and healthy environment and through its awareness programmes, billboards and posters have been erected; PSAs broadcast and cleaning up exercises have been embarked upon.