Jamaicans Urged to Embrace Recycling

Community Relations Manager at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Sharnon Williams, is encouraging Jamaicans to embrace consistent recycling practices to reduce pressure on disposal sites and prevent future waste management challenges.

Speaking during an interview with JIS News, Ms. Williams emphasised the crucial role recycling plays in Jamaica’s journey towards a sustainable future.

“Recycling helps to reduce the volume of waste sent to the disposal sites. So, if we do not improve our recycling efforts, we can expect that there’ll be overburdened disposal sites,” she pointed out.

Ms. Williams noted that waste accumulation also leads to increased pollution of gullies and shorelines, posing a risk to public health.

She told JIS News that the major hurdles to effective, widespread recycling are public behaviour and lack of awareness.

“Many people are still not aware of the importance of separating their waste. Persons oftentimes mix their waste – plastics are mixed with the regular waste and even the e-waste. You have a cell phone that you no longer want, some people just put it in the regular garbage,” she pointed out.

To increase awareness and change behaviour towards recycling, the NSWMA has strengthened its community relations department by increasing the number of officers to 20. Previously, the agency had only one community relations officer for each of its four regions.

Ms. Williams said that the NSWMA team will have a greater presence on social media and in the communities to help bridge the gap between improper waste disposal and recycling practices.

She noted that there is reason to be optimistic, pointing to signs of positive behaviour change among Jamaicans.

She said, “we are definitely seeing positive changes”, citing Canterbury in Montego Bay, which has a robust plastic separation programme.

“We collect over 2,000 pounds of plastic bottles from that area on a monthly basis,” Ms. Williams told JIS News. “However, we still need more widespread participation and consistency in waste separation,” she pointed out.

In the meantime, the public is encouraged to reduce the use of plastics and opt for reusable containers.

The agency also encourages businesses and residents to participate in recycling and clean-up initiatives being undertaken by the NSWMA and other entities.