IN RECENT years, the disrespect shown for our environment and the reckless manner in which garbage is being disposed of have come under close scrutiny. In fact, they have become a monstrous problem, not only in Georgetown, but in other parts of the country as well.
In Georgetown, because of lack of vision and unconcern by those who manage the city’s affairs, the garbage and littering problem has become almost unbearable, and the state of the environment has become nothing less than disgraceful, earning for Georgetown the unenviable reputation of being the “garbage city.” As a result of inaction by the city’s authorities, the situation has grown from bad to worse; and in its current state, it cannot get worse.
The upsurge in the use of Styrofoam products and plastic bags, in tandem with the terrible and unacceptable littering culture, has added to the already unbearable situation.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has noted that, despite the calls for citizens to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner, the issue of garbage build-up in and around the city continues, with government looking to find alternatives to remedy the situation.
As a result, the Ministry of Natural Resources will be 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 of Environment and Natural Resources, Robert 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 disposal.
Meanwhile, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Containers, Ronald Webster, while lauding the Ministry’s campaign, has 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 Ministries’ initiative is an essential tool for the future development of the country, and promises a successful recycling industry. He also noted that “reprocessing” is important, as it helps to conserve resources.
Caribbean Containers will open its recycling industry at Farm, East Bank Demerara, and will also be manufacturing cardboard bins; while the University of Guyana (UG) will fabricate aluminium bins from disposed cans.
These initiatives are laudable, and perhaps long overdue; but what is most important is the fact that the “bull is finally being grabbed by its horns.” This is the only way to arrest and reverse the undisciplined manner in which garbage is disposed of in this country.
However, every decent-minded and patriotic citizen should appreciate that reversing the present horrible garbage disposal situation requires the inputs and efforts of the entire society. It cannot be left only to the Environment Ministry and a few other agencies.
The campaign must simultaneously take place in our homes, schools communities and workplaces etc.
Serious consideration should also be given to enacting legislation to have those guilty of littering do a reasonably lengthy period of community service, and this must be specifically for the removal of garbage in a given area.