SWMCOL challenged by population's mindset on illegal dumping

THE Solid Waste Management Company Ltd (SWMCOL) is severely challenged in dealing with the illegal dumping of garbage throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Passing new legislation to give it greater powers is not the answer to this problem, and TT has a poor culture when it comes to protecting the environment.

SWMCOL chairman Ronald Milford and company CEO Kevin Thompson made these comments to members of the State Enterprises Joint Select Committee (JSC) during a virtual meeting on Monday.

Responding to questions from La Horquetta/Talparo MP Foster Cummings and Opposition Senator Wade Mark, Milford replied, "As an organisation, we are unable to police the entire population with respect to how and where they dispose of garbage."

After explaining this was for both hazardous and non-waste waste, Milford continued, "That is the main challenge for our organisation.

"But it goes deeper than that. It goes to the psyche of the people of TT and the whole legislative framework that is designed to assist us in combating that."

He asked, "How do we manage our environment if we as a people aren't doing enough on our own to be part of the solution?"

On a scale of one to ten, Milford rated the population between three to four on environmental protection.

He said there are several illegal dumping sites in the country, which include rural parts of Trinidad and in Tobago. He lamented, "We don't have the infrastructure to police that."

There is legislation in place to prevent that type of activity, he said, but added, "I think what has happened, quite frankly, over the years, is that the enforcement has not been as effective as it should be."

Milford said people dumping waste in these places are "committing criminal activities against the environment" and must be held accountable.

He added one illegal dump is in Santa Cruz, where he lives.

When JSC chairman Anthony Vieira asked if legislation was needed to empower SWMCOL to deal with this issue, Milford replied, "I don't see that as necessary."

He suggested an increase in fines for dumping waste as a possible solution.

"Fining somebody $500 to $1000 for littering – for me, that is not sufficient."

Thompson said SWMCOL is working with the National Operations Centre to instal CCTV cameras along the way to the Forres Park landfill to prevent people from dumping waste there.

Milford said the amount of litter along Saddle Road in Maraval heading towards Maracas Beach was so great, "companies like KFC and Royal Castle can actually look at market share if they count the number of boxes that they see on the side of the road, It is atrocious."

He agreed with Cummings about greater co-operation with regional corporations over the collection of "white waste" (discarded domestic appliances).

Thompson said the Health Ministry deals with the disposal of biological waste and SWMCOL has no relationship with the Scrap Iron Dealers Association on the disposal of scrap iron. He explained that the association deals with the Planning and Development Ministry.