– ‘Goodbye to Junk’ drive targets Albouystown, Charlestown

A COMMUNITY clean-up campaign targeting the removal of bulky waste from Albouystown and Charlestown is continuing, with residents being offered free collection of large household items and other heavy refuse that cannot be accommodated by conventional compactor trucks.
The “Goodbye to Junk” initiative, led by Minister of Local Government, Priya Manickchand, began on Monday evening, July 20, with residents in targeted areas being asked to place unwanted bulky items outside their properties for collection.
The operation entered its second night as crews worked to clear a backlog of waste from streets and nearby public spaces.
Officials said the cleanup has progressed at a slower pace than anticipated due to the volume of waste requiring removal and emergency conditions declared in the country following the MV Barima maritime tragedy.
The campaign is targeting items such as large household appliances, mattresses and other heavy-duty waste.
Minister Manickchand, who has been on the ground with clean-up crews, urged residents to cooperate with the initiative by placing bulky waste outside their gates for collection.
“This is a collective effort to enhance our living environment,” she said. “We encourage everyone to participate actively by placing their bulky waste out for collection and helping us keep our neighbourhoods clean and safe.”
The Albouystown operation covers Lombard, Hill, James, Hogg, Albouys, Barr, Hunter, Penitence, Albert, King Edward, Victoria, Cooper, Non Pareil, Curtis, Campbell, Garnett and Callendar streets.
In Charlestown, crews are working along High, Drysdale, Evans, Saffron, Charles, Ketley, Broad, Lyng, Russell, Adelaide, Princess, St Stephen and Sussex streets, as well as Chapel Alley.
The Ministry said the campaign will continue as crews work through the accumulated waste in both communities.
Local community leaders and organisations have also been assisting with public awareness and encouraging residents to participate.
The initiative has received positive feedback from residents, several of whom welcomed the opportunity to dispose of items that had been difficult to remove.
One Albouystown resident said the initiative had provided relief after being able to dispose of an old gas stove.
The Ministry is also planning educational programmes aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices, including recycling, composting and proper waste disposal.
The programmes are intended to complement the immediate clean-up efforts by encouraging residents to adopt more environmentally responsible practices over the long term.
The Ministry said the campaign is expected to provide immediate improvements to the cleanliness of Albouystown and Charlestown while laying the groundwork for more sustained community participation in waste management and environmental protection.