St George’s – Environmentalists, public health specialists and the general public across the world today face a critical challenge being posed by the rising problem of solid waste management.
Besides being a threat to public health, unattended dumping sites of solid waste pose several environmental challenges as well. From releasing greenhouse gases, such sites are not just an eye sore, but a source of disease that pollutes not just the surrounding areas but also impacts the soil and the underground water.
Release of greenhouse gases can add to the already deteriorating climatic conditions across the world and calls for an immediate action by the authorities.
Given these challenges, it is imperative that the civic authorities must deal with the problem of solid waste in an effective manner.
Conscious of these problems being posed by the open dumping ground for solid waste Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority (GSMA) is now taking several proactive steps to deal with the situation.
As of recently, the Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy has decided to invest in the solid waste management project under which new heavy duty equipment has been imported into Grenada. This equipment will enhance the ability of the civic authorities to address the issue of solid waste.
The ministry has ordered metal balers, a semi truck and a lowboy trailer along with additional equipment. This equipment will specifically be used for processing and recycling the solid waste. Besides, the government has also ordered storage bins that will be used for effective management of the waste.
This is perhaps the largest investment which has been made by the government to deal with the problem of solid waste.
The equipment has already arrived at the port of St George and will soon be transported to Carriacou in the coming few days.
Having a cleaner Grenada will not just serve the cause of environmental health, but it will also create a sustainable living space for the citizens and will add to the job avenues that are available within the country.
The investment made by the government in the area of solid waste management is likely to bring long term benefits for the generations to come.
Undoubtedly, the government is keen on promoting proper management of the solid waste as has been claimed by Kerryne James, Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy in most of his public speeches.
The government here is looking to match the standards that have been set across the world in dealing with solid waste. And the investment being made in this sector is just another step in the right direction.
The ready to use machinery which will be put in action at Carriacou will help the civic authorities in providing citizens with a clean environment not just in Grenada or Carriacou but also in Petite Martinique.
These solutions are the necessity of the day and these are also imperative for ensuring that the future generations get a clean and green environment to spend their lives.
Any failure in addressing the issues related to solid waste can have long lasting consequences for the nation as any degradation of its environment, soil or underground water can entail huge financial cost.
Proper management cannot just only solve the problem of methane gas being released into the environment, but in the near future the civic authority can use the solid waste to generate clean and renewable energy.
A clean surrounding supports economic activities and promotes tourism which is very essential for a nation like Granada.
Also, having landfills that have not been managed well is a loss of national resources. Instead of recycling and reusing the waste, any mismanagement in this field leads to economic losses to a nation.
The nation must also be conscious of keeping the quantity of solid waste under check. Optimum utilisation of reusable products and bringing down the packaging waste can be a game changer for any Nation.
Grenada must also remain conscious of the fact that by investing in solid waste management it can not only ensure that the future generations get to live in a cleaner environment, but can also use this waste as a source for clean and renewable energy.
The nation now must focus on waste-to-energy plants as any investment made in this sector will prove beneficial not just for the society, but also for the national economy.
The authorities must also stay ahead of any technological advancement that is being made in the field of waste management. By adopting the latest technology the civil authorities can manage the solid waste in a more efficient manner.
Besides, organising special campaigns to sensitize the people can also add to the outcome of efforts being made by the government in dealing with the problem of solid waste.
While the role of the government is quite well defined, the public must also rise to the occasion and support all efforts that are aimed to create a clean environment in Grenada. While the role of the government is primarily to provide the infrastructure, its effective use lies in the hands of civic authorities and the public at large.
By adopting some good practices the nation can go far in dealing with the problem of waste management and convert the landfills of waste into sources of energy that contribute to the economic growth of the nation.
