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But the most obvious environmental damage caused by solid waste is aesthetic, i.e. waste that litter public areas is ugly and smelly.
Contact with natural greenery and green and clean spaces contributes strongly to people’s mental and physical well-being, hence Green Corner’s support of the Pick It Up Guyana (PIUG) initiative.
In June this year, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNR&E), the Hon. Robert Persaud, launched a campaign dubbed “Pick it Up Guyana” in observance of World Environment Day 2012. That campaign is aimed at allowing the public to take up its role in keeping Guyana clean.
Last week, MNR&E officers tasked with the campaign disclosed that it has gained momentum since its launch.
Sean Mendonca, Environmental Officer, said: “We are happy to say that since the launching of the “Pick It Up Guyana” initiative in June, the campaign has seen communities and community-based groups and other youth organizations giving good support through the organization of clean-up exercises, volunteering both at community level clean-ups and nationally organized clean-ups, and also general facilitation of the PIUG initiative.
“We have also seen support from (members of) the business community, who have shown their support through the months through clean-up exercises and the donation of materials related to the awareness efforts.
“Notably, we have also seen public awareness and clean- up efforts in the hinterland regions, especially in Mahdia and Kaituma, through the collaborative effort of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).”
Mendonca said another significant development is a recently launched school programme for both primary and secondary schools, dubbed Schools Taking Action with New Dedication (STAND).
The schools will be targeted with presentations focused on waste management issues, and pupils and students will be encouraged to collect materials such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles which can be recycled.
On the legislative aspects of the campaign, Mendonca said a litter enforcement legislation has been drafted, and is presently in the review stage.
During last week, the PIUG team based at the Jenman Education Centre in the Botanical Gardens launched the “Pick It Up Guyana” video and jingle. The jingle is to be aired on radio, television and YouTube, among other public communications media.
The PIUG team also launched its Environmental Volunteers programme, in which it is seeking to enlist other businesses, groups and individuals to assist in making and keeping Guyana healthy and clean.
At the launch of the video and jingle, and the appeal for Volunteers, Minister Robert Persaud thanked individuals and groups throughout Guyana for responding to the PIUG’s call.
He stressed: “The PIUG is not a one-off event, but a process which will be sustained with the aim of trying to bring about changes in people’s attitudes; in how people view the environment and the surrounding communities in which they live.”
Green Corner supports these efforts, and joins the MNR&E in urging all Guyanese, both young and old, to support the PIUG campaign.
