Practise proper waste management, NSWMA pleads

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is asking that persons be mindful of how they dispose of their waste, as it has noticed that bins are filling up faster, with persons spending more time at home.

Community Relations Manager at the NSWMA, Kimberley Blair, said the authority was encouraging householders to properly secure their garbage.

"Whether it's a drum, mesh receptacle, skip or whatever you may call it - properly secure it. Keep it away from dogs and other animals," she told JIS News. "For meat, we encourage persons to keep it frozen until collection day, and so you won't have any odour and you won't have it decomposing in your bin."

Blair is also reminding householders that garden waste and bulky waste must be separated from household waste as they impact the capacity of compactor trucks, meant for household waste collection.

"Call our office at 876-448-3220 and we will put you through to the respective personnel, who will help you to arrange your bulky waste collection," Blair said.

The NSWMA is also calling on persons to be particularly mindful of how they dispose of contaminated waste during the current health pandemic, especially for the safety of sanitation workers.

"Persons with COVID-19 or who are caring for persons with COVID-19, we ask you to properly dispose of the used gloves, the masks, the sanitising wipes. Put them in a bag and put them in another bag. Do not put them in your recycling bin or throw them on the street. You can place those items in securely tied bags. We ask you to double-bag [it] and secure that bag," urged Blair.