Let’s keep it clean for Easter!
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, April 10, 2019
The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is urging Guyanese, who intend to fly kites and picnic on the seawalls and other public spaces, to dispose of their garbage properly.
Citizens are further encouraged to utilise nearby bins or secure the waste until it can be disposed of in a manner that’s in keeping with a clean environment.
To ensure the cleanliness of the environs, Head of M&CC Public Relations, Debra Lewis says the council will provide new skip-bins at the seawalls and the National Park while garbage bags will be disseminated to vendors. The staff of the council will also be patrolling the area to ensure that the resources are being utilised.
“As you enjoy the Easter holiday, we want to implore you to dispose of your garbage in the correct manner. Put it in a bag or put it in a bin, do not litter. We are all in this together and we have the responsibility to preserve the integrity of the environment.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also gave some keen advice to the public on waste management during the season. Environmental Officer, Jasmine Adams urged citizens to adhere to the three ‘R’s in the waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
The concept of reducing is to use only what is required or essential rather than harnessing unnecessary items; avoid using disposable plates, spoons, glass, cups and napkins and avoid buying items that are over-packaged with foil, paper, and plastic. ‘Reuse’ means to salvage items for a use different than what it is intended. ‘Recycle’ means to transform the items into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item.
Adams said this advisory can be practised by buying products that are made from recycled material which are also known as environmentally friendly products. Her final advice was food for thought for this season.
“Guyana was recently named the number one ‘Eco Tourism’ in the world, but if we do not maintain that status, if we have unsightly garbage strewn around, the environment can never display its true beauty or potential if it is always cluttered with waste that wasn’t managed properly.”
Alleya Hamilton.
Images: Ameer Ali.