EDITORIAL
It seems that Barbadians have come to take for granted the fact that the garbage trucks of the Sanitation Services Authority (SSA) will clean up their messes hence there is no need to cut down on the output of garbage. Also, due to the inability to meet the demand because of the growth of housing and developments, for example, the garbage situation in this country is taking a turn for the worse. This is an issue that requires further scrutiny since there is no doubt that Barbadians can do better with regard to the way they dispose of their refuse.
In 2006, they were handling 1 000 tonnes per day. However, by 2016, Minister of the Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, reported that Government had activated its response teams to assist with waste collection across the island, which included ‘agencies with equipment suitable for waste collection’. They provide collection for over 80 000 households, service the business sector and maintain the streets of Bridgetown and parts of the South Coast. Government has also been taking action against offenders who illegally dump their waste across Barbados and making them clean up their mess.
What the SSA needs to embark upon however, is a campaign to teach people the benefits of, as well as the best way to sort garbage. In New York, this is law. Topics such as composting, the advantages of recycling for our environment and other such topics must be also emphasised.
Recycling is nothing new for Barbadians. Since the introduction of the returnable Containers Act of 1986, consumers have become accustomed to returning especially glass and plastic containers for recycling. If it hasn’t already, the Act would surely need to be revised. Government should consider charging a fee to new developments who need the garbage-collection service. Revenue for the Authority would then grow and the number of trucks can be increased.
Internationally, there is a lot of talk about going green and environmentally friendly solutions, some of which are as simple as incorporating recycling in garbage disposal regimes in households. The benefits of this to Barbadians range from health-related benefits to financial opportunities since in recycling new products can be created. The health benefits alone make total recycling an initiative worth considering. This culture is also being encouraged in schools across the island so that our youth can get on board. In observing the global implications to Russia, China, parts of the US and other industrial economies, we must realise that there has already been significant damage to the atmosphere and the environment and we can ill-afford to contribute to this mounting problem.
Several supermarkets in conjunction with the Future Centre Trust introduced a fee for plastic bags in June to encourage shoppers to do away with them and use ‘green’ bags more regularly.
People are now being encouraged to use a ‘green’ bag to carry their groceries as opposed to the many plastic bags that are used daily. Many seem to have responded favourably to this venture so that even now, a few weeks afterward, Barbadians can still be seen using ‘green’ bags as opposed to plastic bags and this is commendable.
The SSA and Government cannot clean-up the country by themselves. Everyone should try to educate themselves on how they can contribute to a cleaner Barbados.