NSWMA Head Urges Responsible Solid Waste Disposal Practices

MONTEGO BAY, June 9 (JIS):

Citizens are being reminded that they are responsible for the proper disposal of solid waste they generate.

This was reiterated by Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon, while addressing an event at Green Pond High School in St. James on June 7 to mark the agency’s observance of National Solid Waste Day.

He urged persons to properly containerise their refuse before disposing of it.

“In packaging the garbage, don’t just put it in an old bag that is already torn or a box that [is bursting] at the seams, because you want your garbage to stay together. If the wind comes, you don’t want your garbage to be blowing all over the place; when stray animals come, you don’t want them to disturb the garbage easily,” he said.

The Executive Director further encouraged persons travelling in motor vehicles to keep their waste until they locate a bin to discard it.

Mr. Gordon also encouraged students from several primary and high schools attending the event at Green Pond High to ensure they take the necessary steps to keep their environment clean.

He emphasised that, “all of us, collectively, have a duty to take responsibility for the solid waste that we generate.”

Students participated in several activities during the event at Green Pond High, including games, a waste fashion show and a poster competition.

National Solid Waste Day aimed to educate the public about the environmental and health impacts of solid waste, while promoting responsible disposal and recycling practices.

Its observance formed part of activities commemorating National Environmental Awareness Week from June 3-8.