The Antigua and Barbuda Solid Waste Management Authority is preparing to rezone the country’s bulk waste collection areas after a surge in illegal dumping overwhelmed the national cleanup campaign, Cabinet officials said Thursday.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant reported that cleanup teams have been repeatedly returning to areas cleared only days earlier, finding “piles and piles of bulk waste again.” He said the rapid re-accumulation has made the current zoning system ineffective and has forced the authority to restructure how and where its crews operate.
The rezoning effort will be paired with an expansion of roadside cleanup teams, as recent heavy rains have caused significant overgrowth along roadsides, drains and public spaces. Merchant said additional workers are already being contracted to handle the increased workload.
Cabinet also noted that the recently introduced $150 fee for derelict vehicle removal is gaining traction, with more residents requesting the service to remove abandoned cars from roadsides and open lots. Merchant said teams are now working throughout the day to transport derelict vehicles to the landfill.
The cleanup challenges come as the government continues its national beautification and waste-control push, aimed at reducing hazards, improving sanitation and restoring public spaces. Merchant said Cabinet remains committed to strengthening the Solid Waste Authority’s capacity and expects the rezoning to improve efficiency as the campaign continues.
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