Ash collection to commence tomorrow

Members of the public have been issued with guidelines for the collection of ash from their properties as Barbados tries to fight its way back in the National Cleanup Campaign. From tomorrow, the Sanitation Service Authority will be sending their trucks out to remove bagged ash from properties with some simple rules to be followed.

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, the Authority's Public Relations Officer Carl Padmore stated that the organisation was ready to roll in their bid to assist the government and people of Barbados in getting the country clean again. Noting that the rainy season was just around the corner, Padmore highlighted the importance of having the ash removed in a timely manner.

Drawing reference to one of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley's favourite sayings “Many hands light work”, Padmore said that that was the approach being taken. “We have bought into that and we have decided not to do the whole country in one day, because it would really put a strain on resources. So if we focus on one or two parishes per day, then we have a better handle on it. Not every house has ash and it's not every road that has ash to pick up so we believe that if we can do that we can drive through based on the calls we get. We are going to map the calls per parish and go through and remove the ash.” he said.

Adding that normal garbage collection would not be affected as open-back trucks were being utilised, Padmore stressed the importance of the clear separation of household waste and ash as the latter could damage the compactor trucks used for household waste. “We want them to bag it in crocus bags, sugar bags, feed bags – not in the plastic bags and not the normal garbage bags because those will tear and then we will go back to square one again. Please bag it in a safe bag. Then we don't want it co-mingled so we want it placed close to the household waste, but not co-mingled with it. So if you have a can, then you can place the ash next to it,” he said.

The hotline numbers to call for collection are 262-5326 and 262-5327 and roster for ash collection is as follows;

Wednesday 21st April, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.: St. Lucy and St. Peter

Thursday 22nd April, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.: St. Philip and Christ Church

Friday 23rd April, 7 a.m. -12 p.m.: St. John and St. George

Monday 26th April, 7a.m. -12 p.m.: St Andrew and St Thomas

Tuesday 27th April, 7 a.m. -12 p.m.: St. James and St. Joseph

Wednesday 28th April, 7 a.m. -12 p.m.: St. Michael