National Solid Waste Management Authority
NSWMA Responds to MP Richard Lewis Statements – Calls for United Front Against Illegal Dumping
In light of recent remarks by Member of Parliament Richard Lewis urging the implementation of scheduled bulk waste collection to combat illegal dumping, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is emphasizing its ongoing commitment to environmental protection and public sanitation.
While acknowledging that illegal dumping remains a national concern, the Authority asserts that it has consistently carried out scheduled bulk waste collections for several years and more recently for the month of May and June in the Area. “We understand the MP’s frustrations,” but reiterate that a scheduled collection is not a new concept to that community or the country. We’ve executed these programs across communities, year after year.
Despite these efforts, the Authority recognizes that scheduled cleanups alone have not eradicated the problem—and illegal dumping persists. “This is a behavioral, and enforcement issue as much as it is a logistical one,” the Authority maintains. The solution must go beyond cleanups—it demands public cooperation, and consistent enforcement, along with changing behavior and building pride in our shared spaces.
The NSWMA also restates to the public that it is illegal to dump waste on both government and private property, and that those found responsible will be held accountable under The Litter Control and Prevention Act 2019. Dumping garbage in open areas whether out of convenience or neglect is not only illegal, it undermines the health and dignity of communities.
In response to the MP’s comments, the Authority is urging officials to recognize the broader efforts being made, rather than focusing solely on isolated outcomes. “We call on MP Lewis to extend forbearance and support to the Authority, which continues to operate to address the chronic issue of indiscriminate dumping across the island.
“Illegal dumping is a complex, national challenge that no single cleanup initiative or entity can resolve overnight” the Authority concluded. We need a united front to include residents, citizens, leaders, and institutions working together to change both the system and the culture around waste disposal. All stakeholders must understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping our environment and communities clean.
The NSWMA remains committed to doing its part in carrying out its mandate in waste management in Antigua and Barbuda.
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People jus’ narsy an’ gutless! Point blank!
NSWMA you have not addressed the concerns of the MP.
You may have had a bulk waste pick up earlier this year or even yesterday.
Thats good.
What the MP is calling for us a sustained programe.
It must be so structured that villagers/residents know the date way ahead and can have their bulk waste ready for pick up on that day and date.
It must be once every month for every area in Antigua.
So the residents of Rural West can know that on the 4th, or 5th or 6th or 19th of 23rd or 31st that’s their day.
Bulk waste should not be restricted to once in a who knows.
Please listen to the MP and have a structured bulk waste removal program in place.
Seems like MP Richard Lewis is needed to get thing running in order in Antigua.
ignore that Jamaican husband. He has no future and nothing to contribute to Antigua.
Fun fact: His children were born in Jamaica, not Antigua!
To the NSWMA, talk is cheap, there is a serious situation happening in the Golden Grove area in the Vacinity of the Deeper Life Church, this has been going on for years not only it has been going on but the incompetency of the management knowingly this is happening and s nds a Backhoe and a truck to try and clean it up and in so doing creating a pond deteriorating the people’s land while leaving garbage all over the road.
This is a very unpleasant site for us the residence of the area, and by not just simply place a skiff in this area to collect the garbage? Solid waste please do your Job.
You know I’m getting tired of this nastiness of my people. I don’t want to be associated with Antigua or Antiguans when it comes to that. We need to set examples and very hard ones. Perhaps just like when we offer a reward for solving a murder. We need to offer a high reward of money to anyone that report someone littering and we can get conviction in court.
I walk with my wife around the stadium once a week, and you would think that it is a very healthy walk. But not when people throwing dead dogs and all sorts of garbage at the side of the road. The stench is terrible. Why the hell can that person not just burry their dog on a vacant lot. Just bring a shoffle and dig a hole big enough to cover the caucus. But no, they put it in a garbage bag and throw it on the side of the road. And lately I see someone threw a microwave at the side of the road and ofcourse the empty plastic bottles and kentucky boxes are the norm. Or simply an entire garbage bag of waste that they could have placed in their bin at home. What more do people want. NSW picks up garbage in every village once a week. You mean to tell me if you missed one week you cannot wait till next week. And when it comes to bulk waste, all you need to do is call the NSW and ask for pick-up. Sooner or later we must get this nastiness under control. The violators just cannot win. We need to pull out all the stops. People will need to understand we are very serious in keeping this country we all say we love, clean. But I believe we need to start with St. John’s town. St. John’s is a stinky town. There is no pleasure in walking up and down the street. If you do not walk into a dirty vagrant you may walk into a dirty gutter or a stinking dirty looking dog. And you certainly don’t bring your children in town to be expose to all that filt.
Listen…..people are just WUTLESS and NASTY!! Period!!
Driving on Old Popeshead street recently and there is a whole mattress just dumped at the side of the road! So someone put the mattress in their vehicle, drove it to the area and just dumped it. WUTLESS set of people we are!
Coconut vendors just drive to some secluded spot and dump out the coconut shells at the end of the day when they are done selling. Again WUTLESS.
Construction people just driving into secluded areas and dumping yard waste and construction site waste…WUTLESS
Come on people!! Do better.