Solid Waste Management Strategy nears completion
─ Strategy developed through consultations with national, regional and local government, along with private sector
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 4, 2019
The final draft of the Ministry of Communities’ National Solid Waste Management Strategy has been completed and will come into effect very soon. This is according to Technical Advisor on Waste Management, Ministry of Communities Gordon Gilkes.
Ministry of Communities’ Technical Advisor Waste Management, Gordon Gilkes.
Developed through consultations with national, regional and local government, along with the private sector, the strategy aims at providing the road map by which the country can reduce and better manage its waste.
The strategy sets out a vision, goals and targets that are practical and achievable, building on initiatives already in progress. Monitoring and evaluation are integral components of this strategy, and key performance indicators have been developed to track progress towards achieving the goals.
Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) today, Gilkes said the strategy is awaiting the finalisation of the Waste Management Bill since the two must work hand in hand.
However, Gilkes said his department is not waiting for the strategy to be fully approved. He noted that aspects of the Bill are being implemented in the meantime. These include resource recovery and recycling.
According to the Technical Advisor, most waste has a 60 per cent organic content. Such waste has a high value in converting into compost or the generation of biogas. Among the plans for this year is to collaborate with municipalities, especially those with large markets, to develop their capacity by making compost using waste from those markets.
The unit is also collaborating with schools teaching students and teachers about the separation of waste.
Speaking on the Bill, Gilkes explained that it was reviewed by the Ministry to give Local Democratic Organs (LDO) more autonomy in managing their waste. These include possible revenue earning from the operation of local landfill sites.
Alexis Rodney.
Image: Marceano Narine.