NSWMA Forges Partnerships to Improve Solid Waste Management

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has forged a number of partnerships with local and international sources, to facilitate improvements in solid waste management.
Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sports, Portia Simpson Miller, who was making her contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate to the House of Representative on Tuesday (May 31), disclosed that collaborative links were established with the SEEN Groupe of Martinique, to facilitate the safe management and disposal of biomedical waste that could be harmful to the environment.
In addition, she said, a Hazardous Waste Management Policy has been drafted through inter-agency collaboration, to reduce the negative effects of special or hazardous waste on the environment and human health.
“The Authority also joined with major providers of cellular services in Jamaica to identify an effective system for the disposal of discarded batteries and cellular phone. Similar partnerships between the Authority, the Ministry of Land and Environment and private sector distributors developed a project for the proper disposal of used lead acid batteries,” Minister Simpson-Miller disclosed.
She further added that the Authority recently partnered with non governmental organizations and community groups for a special programme of collecting non-biodegradable waste from deep rural communities.
These efforts, she said, were recognized with awards from Ridge to Reef Watershed Management Project and the Coastal Water Improvement Project (CWIP).
“The restructuring of the operations of the Authority will allow for improvements in the delivery of this vital service in a more efficient and effective manner,” the Minister said.