JSIF, NSWMA Embarking on Waste Separation Project

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has provided just over 2,000 bins and two wood-chipping machines, valuing nearly $22 million, to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

These will be used to assist in improving garbage collection and disposal in 30 communities islandwide under a waste-separation and compost project being jointly undertaken by the agencies with input from the firm Recycling Partners of Jamaica. Funding has been provided by the World Bank

The bins, which were acquired at a cost of $13 million, are colour-coded to facilitate the separation of plastic, organic and other material by householders

A total of $8.9 million was spent to procure the woodchippers which will be used to assist in converting material, such as fallen tree limbs, into compost.

The provisions have been facilitated under the JSIF-administered Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) and will see the bins being distributed in Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Ann, St. James, and Westmoreland.

It is anticipated that approximately 140,000 persons will directly benefit from the undertaking, which will be rolled out over the next four weeks.

The presentations were made during a recent ceremony on the compound of the NSWMA’s Transport Department on Hagley Park Road in Kingston.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the responsibilities of JSIF and the NSWMA under the project, was also signed during the ceremony

Speaking with JIS News, Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the new initiative is part of the Government’s continued efforts to ensure that proper waste-disposal practices are carried out in communities.

The Minister said the bins and woodchippers would greatly augment the Environmental Wardens Programme, which was launched in February 2015.

The programme trains key community members of participating ICDP communities in proper waste-disposal practices.

“It is a programme where, not only are facilities being provided to collect the garbage, there are environmental wardens who… have been working. In some of the communities, you can see the difference where the wardens are working; you can see improvement in cleanliness and how garbage is being disposed of,” Mr. McKenzie said.

Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney, said the project is also part of the continued efforts by the Government to combat vector-borne diseases.

This, he explained, “by ensuring there is proper disposal of waste which is creating these breeding sites”,

The ICDP aims to enhance access to basic urban infrastructure and services and contribute towards increased safety in select economically vulnerable inner-city communities.