Latest update March 12th, 2026 12:35 PM
Haags Bosch landfill to close in 2029
…almost $400M approved for 2026
…Govt. looking at bottle depot, garbage separation, recycling
(Kaieteur News) – Haags Bosch landfill site located on the East Bank of Demerara is expected to close in 2029, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand.
During the consideration of the 2026 estimates and expenditure for her ministry, the Minister told the Committee of Supply, that just under $400 million was allocated for operations at Haags Bosch for 2026, when questioned by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul.
Minister Manickchand also disclosed that $150 million is allocated this year for the Lusignan, East Coast Demerara landfill site. She further noted that Haags Bosch receives about 1,100 tonnes of waste per day, while Lusignan handles over 150 tonnes daily. On the contractors managing the sites, she noted that Haags Bosch is managed by a group of experienced operators under Waste Solutions Inc., while Lusignan landfill is managed by Times Square.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand and her team on Thursday before the Committee of Supply.
Mahipaul raised concerns about Haags Bosch’s location near housing areas, new government buildings, as well as the highway. He pressed the minister on government plans for the closure of the Haags Bosch landfill.
The minister confirmed that provisions were made for a consultant, with the aim of expanding the Lusignan landfill. Minister Manickchand acknowledged the challenges faced by residents and commuters who made complaints about foul smell from Haags Bosch. However, she noted, “Between September and mid-December we covered all the exposed old garbage, what you are getting now is the scent on the highway and that is from the new garbage because we have just opened cell three at Haags Bosch.”
She reminded that Haags Bosch is designed to have three cells, outlining that cell one and two are already closed. “We just started using cell three and when that’s filled, we will close it but we don’t have a plan to close it prematurely,” the Minister added.
“How long more do you anticipate cell three will be in existence and garbage will be going there?” MP Mahipaul asked and Minister Manickchand noted that the intention is to close Haags Bosch by 2029.
Moreover, the Minister also outlined plans for eight new modern landfill sites across the country, including Zorg-en-Vlygt, Region Two ($300M); Laurentia Catherina, Region Three ($400M); Blairmont ($280M); Bartica, Region Seven ($200M); and Region Ten ($300M). “All of those will be modern landfill sites that look at a circular way of disposal of solid waste,” she said.
Minister Manickchand said she is hopeful that the country’s first solid waste management law would be enacted this year. She stated, “That bill had to be revised so that we can look at a circular way of disposal of garbage which is use, dispose, reuse, rather than the linear way…which is just use and dispose.”
On recycling and waste separation, she explained, “We are working on recycling, we are working on separate at source, that means that in your home you will have your plastic here, your paper there…so we are looking at separate at source and then separate at the various landfill sites.”
Regarding partnerships with local companies for recycling, it was noted that while there are discussions, concerns were raised about the amount of waste that will be needed to make recycling beneficial. However, she pointed out that what is also needed is for citizens to change their habits when it comes to garbage disposal. The Minister added, “So we are looking at how we can encourage positively as well as through penalties, negatively, the changing out of these habits. We are looking at a bottle depot so that you can compensated for bringing the bottles.”
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