Tackling the garbage situation in Georgetown

Sep 02, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The capital city of Guyana is a vibrant and diverse urban centre that holds great potential for economic and social growth.

However, like many cities around the world, Georgetown faces a pressing issue: the management of its garbage and waste.

The improper disposal of waste poses environmental, health, and aesthetic challenges that need urgent attention.

This letter delves into the garbage situation in Georgetown, its causes, impacts, and potential sustainable solutions.

Georgetown’s garbage situation is characterized by a shortage of bins at the side of the roadway, or none at all, littered streets by people who have no respect for their own country, and inadequate waste management infrastructure due to inadequate finance, and the planning and implementation to raise finance.

The insufficient cooperation between the city council and government over the years, especially when it comes to raising taxes on properties or having a share in the 10% tax that the government collects on plastic items or a percentage share of the VAT collected in the city, or for the council to hold the power to licences all businesses in the city and pay the VAT to the State, is what are preventing the city government from earning the finance that is needed to properly manage the city.

Better disposal systems for the commercial quantity of garbage, coupled with public awareness campaigns, especially to let the people know every day, that they can be charged and taken to court for the dumping of garages illegally and enforcing the law through the establishment of the city court can help a great lot in having the city in a better condition.

The increase in littering and illegal dumping of plastic waste, in particular, has become a prominent issue, as it often finds its way into the waterways, threatening aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.

The environmental consequences of the garbage situation in Georgetown are significant. Improper waste management can lead to pollution of rivers and drainage systems, contributing to flooding during heavy rainfall.

The accumulation of plastic waste not only disrupts the aesthetic appeal of the city but also poses a serious threat to the health of marine life and overall ecosystem balance.

As I traversed North Road in Georgetown on 30/8/2023, I saw the filthy condition of the drainage stagnant water and the amount of garbage in the drain, I could not believe my eyes because that drainage used to be clean in the 1970s and ’80s.

You could have seen people going fishing on a weekend and even swimming during rainfall, I asked myself why the Church Street and North Road drainage cannot be cleaned as before?

Accumulated garbage can attract pests and disease-carrying vectors, such as rodents and mosquitoes, leading to the spread of illnesses such as dengue fever and leptospirosis.

Moreover, the burning of waste materials releases toxic fumes and pollutants into the air, further deteriorating air quality and affecting residents’ respiratory health.

Addressing the garbage situation in Georgetown requires a multifaceted approach that combines the business communities, citizens, city government, and central, government engagement and a political behavioral change for the betterment of Georgetown.

Here are some potential sustainable solutions:

1. Invest in modern Infrastructure Improvement for the waste management facilities, including recycling centres and waste-to-energy plants, to reduce the volume of waste going to landfills.
2. Promote waste separation at source to encourage recycling, establish recycling collection points, and educate residents on the importance of recycling.
3. Launch extensive public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about proper waste disposal, the impact of littering, and the benefits of recycling.
4. Enforce stricter regulations on waste management practices, including high fines for littering and illegal dumping, to discourage such behaviours.
5. Collaborate with local communities to organize clean-up initiatives, tree-planting campaigns, and workshops on waste reduction and management.
6. Implement bans or taxes on single-use plastics to reduce plastic waste generation and promote the use of reusable alternatives.

The garbage situation in Georgetown, Guyana, is a pressing issue that demands immediate action from the City Council and help from the government with the finance needed and citizens alike. By adopting sustainable solutions and fostering a culture of responsible waste management, Georgetown can work towards becoming a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally conscious city.

Through collective efforts, the city’s residents can pave the way for a brighter and greener future for generations to come.

Michael Carrington

Former MP

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• ‘health is wealth, Economic, environmental, Georgetown, Michael Carrington

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