EDITORIAL
For many years the authorities have been urging Barbadians to desist with the practice of illegal dumping, given the negative impacts such an activity can have on the environment. But those pleas have often fallen on deaf ears and the question of how to put an end to illegal dumping remains an ever pertinent one. Certainly, we can be counted among those who support the State taking a firmer stance to thwart the actions of those who persist in illegally dumping refuse in this country, and look forward to the day when we no longer have to contend with this problem.
Whether we want to admit it or not, the fact is Barbados has a serious illegal dumping problem and this unfortunately is exacerbated by the challenges we face with garbage disposal. We hope then that our new Government, which has promised to address the problems with waste disposal, is able in the near future to acquire the garbage trucks that are required. We believe that those trucks will definitely allow the Sanitation Service Authority to return to regularly scheduled collections as in the past, and rule out the need for persons to dump their garbage, whether everyday household items or bulk items, just about anywhere they can.
Unfortunately over the last few years, we have had many persons rather than taking their items to the dump as is required, just pulling up at remote locations and sometimes areas in plain view and relieving their vehicles of loads of items. It is clear that moral suasion has not been as successful as we would like, as there are still persons who engage in the practice, but what is worse is that culprits do not even seem ashamed of their actions. Rather than doing it under the cover of night, they fearlessly do it during daylight hours, and while we did see some persons hauled before the law courts last year for engaging in the practice, many more have escaped the long arm of the law.
Admittedly, illegal dumping is not as widespread as it was before, but we believe that so long as it still occurs, it is a problem that we cannot afford to ignore. We make the point given that garbage that is inappropriately disposed of can result in the spread of diseases such as Leptospirosis and mosquito borne diseases and even worse, can taint our limited water supply.
Now more than ever, we think the State has to take a firmer stance on illegal dumping to prevent the actions of those who clearly do not care about the impact their actions can have on our society. Respectfully, we say that there is a need for stronger legislation, including an increase in the fines or imprisonment period for persons found guilty of such acts, and even more, introducing accompanying legislation to promote recycling. We feel strongly that Barbados must also be made to encourage Barbadians to take pride in their country so as to ensure it remains in immaculate condition.
Indeed, we appreciate that finances are limited and persons may be inclined to illegal dump the items rather than calling on the Sanitation Service Authority or one of the private waste haulers to dispose of the items properly, but the State cannot condone that type of behaviour. We feel that the health authorities, who often know where the popular dumping spots are, should cooperate with the police force to set up surveillance to catch the perpetrators in the act.
To deal with everyday household waste and prevent persons from dumping at various sites, garbage and recycling bins can be set up across the length and breadth of this country to promote a culture to reduce, reuse and recycle.