Grenada Observes Anti-litter awareness week

November 10th 2009

The week of July 26th to August 1st 2009 was observed in Grenada as the annual Anti Litter Awareness Week. The theme chosen was Don't Trash D Spice

Activities were aimed at seeking public support for the maintenance of litter free surroundings in the run-up Carnival celebrations and the August festivities.

Anti-litter Awareness week is observed each year in the run-up to Carnival celebrations in an effort to sensitize persons on the importance of the maintenance of litter free surroundings during the celebrations and the health and economic benefits to be derived from good waste management practices.

The week was declared open with a Radio and Television message by Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and the Environment, The Hon. Sylvester Quarless.

Some of the activities staged during the week were Media Promotional activities including Spice Up D Carenage, a show put on by Grenada Broadcasting Network. It gave the Authority an opportunity to highlight concerns about littering during outdoor events, road shows, sport meetings etc. Promotional material such as water bottles, re-usable shopping bags and pencils made from recycled tyres were given to patrons. These carried the promotional theme.

There were Television apperances by GSWMA personnel on Government Information Service, GBN and CC6 TV. This also involved the production and airing of two television documentaries on services offered by the GSWMA. The Senior Public Relations Officer was also the Guest on the CC6 Watch Dog Television Program.

A number of government ministries and departments including the Ministry of Social Development, Tourism and Foreign Affairs, Carriacou and Petit Martinique Affairs, Health and Finance staged activities in show of support for the initiative.

Anti-litter promotion staged at St.George's Bus Terminus

November 10th 2009

Members of Staff of the GSWMA were joined by Grenada Ports Authority Bus Terminal Attendants for an anti-litter initiative at the St.George's Bus Terminus in a campaign geared at curbing the problem of littering from commuter buses.

Approximately two thousand bus pannel stickers were distributed to bus owners/operators carrying the message Litter hurts the environment...Don't throw waste from vehicles.

The bus operators were urged to affix the stickers inside of their buses so as to discourage persons from throwing waste out of their windows while on board. They were also encourages to provide receptacles on board their vehicles for use by commuters..

The drive also involved the production of audio promos containing anti-litter messages which were broadcast at regular intervals during the day and throughout the carnival season over the bus terminus intercom system.

The initiative was sponsored by seven (7) solid waste collection companies. ie. Rainbow Janitorial Service, Kenny's Trucking Company, SP's Solid Waste Services, PSWS, Southern Waste Management Services, Mitchell's Trucking Company and Stephen Davis Trucking company of Carriacou.

A similar promotional exercise was held outside the Ports Authority compound on the sister island of Carriacou.

Fire At Old Perseverance Disposal Site

November 10th 2009

The Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority is still to determine what caused a fire at its old disposal facility which is located near the existing Perseverance landfill which occurred in late June.

While the Authority has been carrying out disposal operations at the Perseverance Landfill, the old site was used only for metal baling.

In statements to the local media, both the General Manager of the Authority, Mr. Selby Da Breo and Operations Manager Mr. Vaughan Forsyth, noted that while the Authority was not ruling out arson as the cause, investigations will continue with the assistance from the Royal Grenada Police Force. It was stated that prior to the fire on the old disposal site, two fires were reported on two nearby privately operated sites used for salvaging metal for recycling and other waste.

The Authority has issued warnings to motorists traveling along the western main road to approach the area with caution as dense smoke can reduce visibility that can result in accidents.

Minister and Board of Directors Tour Perseverance Landfill

November 10th 2009

Minister of Works, Public Utilities and the Environment, Hon Joseph Gilbert along with members of the new Board of Directors made a familiarization tour of the Perseverance Landfill in July. They were accompanied by General Manager of the Authority, Mr. Selby Da Breo and Executive Secretary /Personnel Manager Miss. Karen Roden.

The Touring team was briefed on the state of operations at the landfill and given the opportunity to ask questions regarding facilities, maintenance operations, equipment and services.

Some members of the touring team also viewed a photo, paper recycling and composting display held at the maintenance unit. They were interviewed by a news crew from the Community Channel 6 at the end of the tour.

Workshop for Food Vendors held.

November 10th 2009

In our bid to help to solve the problem of street litter resulting from roadside vending, the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority teamed-up with the Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health to facilitate four workshops for food vendors.

While the Ministry of Health engaged the participants in discussions surrounding the prevention of the spread of diseases through personal hygiene and proper food handling, the GSWMA focused on the maintenance of clean and litter free surroundings, waste management in the vicinity of vending booths, waste disposal and vendors responsibility to clean-up after the staging of public events.

The sessions were held at Bains Hall- Grenville, St.Patrick's Anglican School -Sauteurs, St.John's Pastoral Center- Gouyave and TA Marryshow Community College -St.George's.

Copies of a brochure developed by the Authority on litter prevention and sections of the Waste Management legislation which covers vending and waste management were given to all Participants.

GSWMA Participates in Agriculture Seminar Intergated Organic Farming and Biodigestion.

November 10th 2009

Miss Karen Roden, Executive Secretary/Personnel Manager of the Authority was one of two participants from Grenada who took part in a week-long seminar on organic farming and biodigestion which was held in Costa Rica from September 16th to 21st.

The seminar exposed participants to the following:

The participants were also exposed to bio-gas production on farms, plant sources for animal medicines and feed and the use of tyres for making footpaths, retaining walls and terracing for the prevention of soil erosion.

Recycled Paper Boxes... a new local business

Friday January 9th 2009

New paper recycling ideas are coming to life in Grenada. Following on the heels of "Second Life" packaging, a new initiative "Great Caribbean Things.... Villagearts" was born out of the training initiative undertaken by the Grenada Arts Council with sponsorship from the Organisation of American States ( OAS).

The Initiative titled "Great Caribbean Things...come in small Boxes" focuses on the making of small boxes for use by manufacturers of spices, perfumes, condiments, confectionery and jewelry for packaging of small items among others.

The idea, which has been widely advertised has received positive reviews from local manufacturers and other business entities as a viable alternative to the traditional packaging which requires destruction of screw pine, calabash and coconut palm trees and which has a tendency to decay if not properly preserved.

Villagearts has also been engaged in the use of recycled paper pulp for the manufacture of paper craft in the shape of animals, paper weights, flowers, wall arts, educational modules, toys, miniature historic features of the tri-island and paper jewelry.

The recycling initiative is viewed as a good way of putting waste paper into good use and diverting a sizable quantity of paper waste from the landfill.

New Board of Directors at GSWMA

Friday January 9th 2009

The Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority has a new Board of Directors at the helm of its operations.

Headed by Mr. Phillip David, a private sector business entrepreneur, the Board is comprised of nine Directors.

The full slate includes:

GSWMA At World Food Day '08

Friday January 9th 2009

As part of this year's observance of World Food Day the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority staged a mini exhibition at the St. Andrew's Food exhibition which was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The exhibition which focused on climate change and its effects of food production brought together a number of entities involved in food production, alternative energy sources and food technology.

The GSWMA exhibition highlighted waste reduction initiatives including composting, recycling of paper, Wood chips and their benefits, Tyre shredding and litter prevention among other areas.

The exhibition gave students, farmers and members of the general public an opportunity to view projects undertaken by the Authority, ask questions and establish partnerships for the promotion of waste management programs.

Among items on display were Compost in its various stages of maturity, Seedlings grown from compost at Her Majesty's Prison, benefits of using/reusing the durable shopping bag, gift boxes made from recycled paper, shredded and ground tyres and wood chips. The exhibits were supported by a poster display featuring tyre shredding, the many uses of wood chips, composting projects undertaken in Grenada, types of composting units and the distribution of literature, hand bands, pencils and newsletters.

A presentation on waste reduction initiatives and issues affecting solid waste management also formed part of the Authority's World Food Day program.

GSWMA is scheduled to mount similar exhibitions at other district celebrations marking this years observance of World Food Day. GSWMA At Eastern District World Food Day exhibition outside the Ministry of Agriculture Unit, Grenville, St. Andrew's.

Waste Hauling, Illegal dumping and Traffic Hazards.

Friday January 9th 2009

Truck operators are urged to ensure that they adhere to the established operating hours of the landfill and avoid arriving at the site too late. Late arrivals often mean that trucks have to be turned back. This is believed to be one of the contributing factors to extensive illegal dumping near the entrance to the Perseverance Landfill facility and along the roadside in the vicinity of the landfill.

The practice of dumping waste at the entrance to the landfill during non operating hours is known to have slowed down commencement of work at the landfill on a number of occasions. This happens as waste first has to be cleared away from the entrance of the site to allow trucks to enter the facility. The early morning line-up can also adversely affect traffic operations on the Western Main Road at a time when there is a heavy flow of rush hour traffic.

Littering, Heavy Rains and Blocked Drains

Friday January 9th 2009

Recent heavy showers have been blamed for flooding in some low-lying areas of the island. While a quick run-off of storm water and inadequate drainage have been viewed as contributing factors, some persons are of the view that extensive littering may also be blamed or is a contributing factor.

It is evident by the character of the waste found among the items lingering in some drains, that street litter is a major factor. The practice of throwing waste out of moving vehicles, pedestrians dropping waste as they walk along and open trucks spilling waste as they drive by have been contributing to our big litter problem. Juice and food boxes, plastic beverage bottles and plastic bags have been found to be the most popular items removed from clogged drains.

The solution to stemming the problem rests in our hands.