The Bartica Mayor and Town Council has made significant strides in its management of solid waste, says Deputy Mayor, Nageswari Kamal Lochanprasad.

However, more is being done to educate residents, some of whom continue to litter and even dispose of refuse in the river.

“We were able to bring that situation to a decent state. Of course, we are not 100 percent satisfied with the present conditions, which has led us to sensitising our residents on proper waste disposal, separation of garbage, littering, among other sub-topics to ensure the cleanliness of our surroundings,” Lochanprasad added.
She noted that it is the council’s hope to eliminate such action and to encourage residents to the use the garbage bins in the community.

Lochanprasad said that littering “creates worse conditions for the council regarding expenses to undertake the cleaning process, so it takes a lot of resources even though it may seem like a small area”.

According to the Deputy Mayor, numerous government and non-governmental agencies have assisted the council with tackling this issue. She is also optimistic more persons will come on board.

Roland Gittens, Supervisor of the Solid Waste Management Unit, said that while the unit is currently educating residents on proper solid waste disposal, there is focus on the proper disposal of electronic waste.

“Time to time I see residents throwing away electrical irons, old stoves, televisions, computers among other electrical devices. It may seem as simple objects but they are poisonous devices so disposing it in the garbage should not be an option,” Gittens explained.

He noted that the council will be putting systems in place that will enable them to dispose of this e-waste in Georgetown. The decision was taken to send the e-waste to the city since the Bartica dumpsite will be converted to a landfill, which is more environmentally-friendly.

Source: DPI