Florian Mitchel, the General Manager of the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), recently announced the removal of over 2,100 derelict vehicles from the island’s streets since initiating a cleanup campaign in 2017. This effort, detailed in a recent press conference, underscores the DSWMC’s commitment to environmental stewardship and public health, in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment.
Mitchel emphasized the crucial role of waste management in maintaining Dominica’s natural beauty and the importance of cooperation between the corporation, local communities, and regional institutions in achieving these goals.
He pointed out the specific challenges of waste management on an island like Dominica, where landfill space is scarce and the construction of new landfills is prohibitively expensive.
One of the major initiatives Mitchel highlighted was the push towards improving community waste storage. This includes ensuring that households are equipped with sufficient bins to reduce littering and encourage waste separation, a practice the DSWMC is keen on promoting. Waste diversion, through methods such as recycling, has been a strategic focus to mitigate the limitations of landfill use on the island.
Moreover, the DSWMC has made significant strides in infrastructure development in Roseau, installing over 25 bins in the city with plans to add another 25. This move aims to facilitate better waste disposal practices among the public.
As of 2020, the corporation has distributed more than 1,700 residential bins across various communities and over 200 recycling crates to support recycling efforts.
Mitchel’s comments also highlighted Dominica’s unique position in the region for its comprehensive daily garbage collection service, an initiative not replicated anywhere else in the Caribbean. This effort, along with the other projects spearheaded by the DSWMC, illustrates Dominica’s proactive approach to environmental management and sustainability.
Through these actions, the DSWMC addresses immediate environmental concerns and sets a precedent for waste management in the Caribbean, fostering a culture of responsibility and sustainability that benefits both the island and its inhabitants.
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