Georgetown Chamber president Clinton Urling says Guyana needs a holistically integrated management plan to provide a long-term solution to the solid waste problem.
In a commentary, Urling said while short-term approaches can be considered, a three-step process “that starts from waste generation and storage, moves to safe collection and culminates in environmentally responsible final disposal” must be taken into consideration to achieve an effective solid waste management system.
At the operational levels of waste generation and storage, several initiatives can be pursued, he said. “These include awareness programmes emphasizing the importance of reducing waste and using environmentally responsible storage methods; the sorting or source segregation of waste, initiatives encouraging household composting, and the provision of large public waste receptacles.”
Urling also suggested that at the collections stage initiatives can include timed and increased collections of solid waste; use of appropriate collection equipment; outsourcing to private enterprises; the provision of an incentive-or-market-based schemes for collectors of recyclable materials (that is, such collectors could be formally organised under umbrella organisations or categories).
“At a more creative level, upgraded judicial rules could allow for community services sentences and collaboration with the reform prison system to carry out garbage collection with working prisoners who have been classified as low security risks,” he said.
According to Urling, Guyana would also need a technologically updated recycling plant; proper landfill and dumpsite management sites countrywide; tipping fees to ensure sustainability of landfills, and landfill composting facilities at the point of final disposal. “It is widely acknowledged that finished compost has a marketable value and can be sold to enrich our soils, improve vegetation and reduce the need for fertilizers,” he said.
Urling also opined that in order for the process to work it must rest on a foundation where appropriate laws are adopted upon the principle of zero tolerance for irresponsible solid waste disposal. Efforts must also engage citizens’ participation through community programmes and awareness campaigns involving schools, NGOs, citizens groups, municipal authorities, local businesses, and other entities. Other essential considerations should cover adequate, stable funding for relevant institutions as well as financial oversight, transparency and accountability in the procurement and budgetary allocation process, he said.
“More critically, the plan should promote the use of appropriate technology, such as biomethanisation for organic wastes and composting equipment. At the most significant level, the plan should be coordinated through a central coordinating agency (for example, at the ministry level of local government or other governing unit) that involves the broadest spectrum of stakeholders representing, among others, municipal departments, private enterprises, waste collectors, NGOs, and residential groups,” he said.
Urling also noted that a central policy clearing house will help avoid the potential problems of disintegrated approaches, duplicated efforts, waste of resources, or an unwieldy solid waste management programme. Local government reform and regularly held elections are also critical components, as they ensure accountability from municipal authorities and gives the public their duly merited say in how and who should manage the day-to-day affairs relevant to their geographic constituency. “Indeed, the proper, responsible management of solid waste disposal is a hallmark of an effectively functioning government and society,” Urling said.
