Garbage collection slows following hurricane

 

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has acknowledged that it is behind with the collection of garbage. 

 

Executive Director Audley Gordon says the removal of debris from thoroughfares following Hurricane Melissa to ensure access has compounded the removal of waste. 

 

"So, now, we've been pushed back like about 10 to 12 days. We're still trying to manage to take up some of the garbage in the communities. Well, we are doing that, but we are behind in most places, especially in the densely populated areas. And we are pushing hard; hard, hard with getting in extra trucks in terms of contracted trucks."

 

Mr. Gordon, while noting that compact garbage trucks would be ideal, said the tipper trucks are more common. However, he noted that the NSWMA has been in dialogue with potential contractors with additional trucks.  

 

"We have over 115 of our trucks up this morning and we have about another 70 contracted trucks - I'm talking about compactor. In terms of the tipper trucks, we probably have about 60 or 70 across the island, and we are engaging daily [with potential contractors who] want to reach out to help us with some of their trucks" he said.