Minister wants to see proper garbage disposal

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, is urging Jamaicans to take greater responsibility for the proper disposal of solid waste as the country continues to grapple with the effects of improper dumping.

Speaking during the opening of the George’s Plain Temporary Holding Area, a new waste-transfer facility in Westmoreland, McKenzie said Hurricane Melissa highlighted long-standing issues stemming from improper waste disposal, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of garbage in drains and gullies. He noted that more than 17 tonnes of garbage had been collected in Westmoreland since the hurricane passed, highlighting the volume of waste recovered from several drains, gullies and waterways.

“Hurricane Melissa did extensive damage to this country. But some of what we experienced was because our drains and our gullies were blocked long before [the hurricane], even though the municipalities did cleaning,” the minister said. McKenzie pointed out that cleanup efforts had revealed the presence of bulky household items in blocked drains, including old refrigerators, washing machines, televisions and mattresses.