Statement

Kenred Dorsett M. P. Minister of the Environment and Housing

RE: Introduction of the Garbage Collection Schedule

December 22nd, 2013

For Immediate Release

When I assumed office as the minister responsible for the Environment and Housing, I did so determined to tackle all challenges that I encountered whether they were preexisting or not. One of the things that has been a challenge for Bahamians for a long time is the timely collection of refuse or garbage. This is one of the issues that I have taken on and I am endeavoring to bring solution to. As I have stated before in the House of Assembly and in other venues the fleet of trucks owned by the government for garbage collection is in a state of disrepair, in May 2012 approximately only half of the trucks were operational. The government decided to acquire the services of multiple private contractors to assist in the collection of residential garbage instead of investing in new trucks. The private Bahamian companies that have been contracted by the government are as follows:

Boomers Trucking Mr. Pick Up Bahamas Waste United Sanitation ImpacPCWMTrash It Direct Trucking Garbage Man

Since instituting this measure the collection of garbage has gotten better. There are some issues that have been reported but by and large the new system is working.

Today I am pleased to announce the commencement of another new initiative which is an island wide schedule for garbage collection edited by constituency, polling division, day of the week and time of day. The main purpose for this addition is for the residents of New Providence to know when their garbage is scheduled to be collected that they can adequately prepare their trash for pickup. (See copy of the schedule at www.issuu.com/ministryofehbahamas)

Constituency maps detailing the collections routes will be distributed in the New Year and publicized throughout New Providence and we will also engage a cadre of volunteers to assist the DEHS in reporting whether or not the privately contracted companies are collecting waste on time. (A sample map is attached.)

It is important at this juncture that I remind Bahamians of their responsibilities as regards the preparation of trash for collection. The Environmental Health Services (Collection and Disposal of Waste) Regulations 2004 clearly outlines the responsibility of all stakeholders with regards to the collection and disposal of garbage. I would like to highlight some of the duties which fall on residents.

1. For ease and efficiency of collection, all persons shall place waste only in domestic waste receptacles or containerized storage bins, and place the bins as close as practical to a road, without obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, for pick up by a collector.

2. A domestic waste receptacle or containerized storage bin shall have sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the wear and tear to which it may be subjected under normal collection procedures.

3. A collector is not required to collect domestic waste from any waste receptacle which with the weight of its contents exceeds 70 pounds any waste receptacle which due to the compaction of waste, accessibility or any other

reason cannot be emptied by the collectors in a normal “free flowing” manner; or any waste receptacle which is not suitable for holding such waste.

All citizens can access this legislation online or at Government Printing on Bay Street for their perusal.

Citizens should also be reminded that the collectors for residential waste are not responsible for removing bulk waste, green waste or any waste from commercial properties. This schedule presented today is for the removal of residential waste only.

While the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) and by extension the Ministry of the

Environment and Housing is diligently working to bring solution to this age old problem and to advance the country to a 21st century model of garbage collection, recycling and waste management in general, the people of The Bahamas especially here in the capital must understand that this is a two way street. The government is doing its part but so must all residents. It is a shared responsibility to keep our environment clean. We should not litter by throwing trash out of cars on the side of streets or anywhere that is not a designated trash receptacle. We should also ensure that trash is secured from stray animals and elements of whether such as wind. We cannot continue in this careless fashion, showing little to no respect for the environment in which we live.

After all, keeping the Bahamas clean is everybody's business, therefore we should all do our part.

Thank you