Caribbean News
Jamaicans Encouraged to Practise Composting
#MontegoBay, December 12, 2022 – The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is encouraging Jamaicans to adopt a culture of composting and recycling, to reduce the amount of waste being produced.
“We want to push composting, because depending on the statistics you chose to look at, anywhere between 67 to 75 percent of what we currently load on to a truck, at huge taxpayers’ expense, to take to a disposal site, is composting,” Executive Director of the NSWMA, Audley Gordon said.
“If we can get the composting culture going, we would need less trucks, we would need less acreage for disposal facilities, and by the time we get to some recycling and take out the recyclables, we would be down to literally nothing, so we could be heading to zero waste [if] we are able to change the culture of our people,” he added.
Mr. Gordon however noted that the attitude towards waste disposal will not change overnight and will require patience and the right communication tools to effect change.
He was speaking at a meeting with the Negril Chamber of Commerce held at the Negril Community Centre in Westmoreland on December 8, where he provided information on the NSWMA’s Sweep Initiative, which aims to improve garbage collection across the island.
The Executive Director also challenged citizens to reduce their waste during the festive season.
“Instead of buying the gift you must wrap, buy the gift bag, and put [the gift] in it. You reuse the giftbag, the person who gets that gift can take it out [and] use that same gift bag. You are having a function, instead of buying disposable plates, buy the reusable plates. In doing those little things, you would have been saving the environment a whole heap of garbage,” he said.
While in the parish, Mr. Gordon also attended the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation meeting, where he informed that the parish, is among the first to benefit from the Sweep Initiative.
To this end, the backlog of waste from sections of Westmoreland Western has been cleared. In addition, areas in Westmoreland Central and Westmoreland Eastern also benefitted from the initiative.
The NSWMA recently acquired 50 new trucks, of which 12 trucks were allocated to Western Parks and Markets (WPM) Waste Management Limited, which covers Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny and Hanover.
Of the 12 trucks for the region, three will be assigned to Westmorland. This will be in addition to the three older NSWMA trucks and four supplementary trucks in the parish.
With the 10 trucks in the parish, garbage collection is set to be once per week going forward.
Contact: Serena Grant
Release: JIS
KINGSTON, May 1 (JIS):
Ground has been broken at the tuition-free Christel House at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, for the construction of a high school.
Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Faval Williams, who delivered the keynote address at the site, today (May 1), said Christel House’s dedication to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering vulnerable children is “nothing short of inspiring”.
“Your decision to invest in Jamaica speaks volumes about your belief in our nation’s potential, and your dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth is appreciated,” Minister Williams said.
She added that the partnership between the Government and the organisation, forged through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019, is a “prime example” of what can be achieved when public and private entities come together with a shared vision and purpose.
Further, the Minister said a foundation is being laid for a brighter future, one where every child has the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential, regardless of their circumstances.
She said that Christel House Jamaica, which now operates a kindergarten school at the location, will in time be more than just a school.
“It will be a symbol of optimism, a sanctuary of learning, and a catalyst for positive change in our community,” the Minister said.
“By providing comprehensive support, including education, nutrition, healthcare, and mentorship, Christel House will empower students to break free from the chains of poverty and chart a course towards a better tomorrow,” she added.
Mrs. Willliams said the shared goal between the Administration and Christel House extends beyond the construction of a building, as it is about nurturing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers who will shape the destiny of the nation.
“Together, we are sowing the seeds of prosperity, equity, and social justice, ensuring that no child is left behind,” she said.
The school provides breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack, as well as transportation for children living far distances from the school. It also provides uniforms and textbooks, and counselling services for its students who have to contend with psychological and other emotional issues.
Founder of Christel House International, Christel Dehaan, emigrated from Germany to the United States (US) in 1962, and was an accomplished businesswoman.
In 1996, she sold her global enterprise, Resort Condominiums International (RCI), which had offices in 38 countries, and devoted her resources to philanthropic work from her headquarters in North Meridian Street, Indianapolis.
With support from dedicated donors, schools are run in India, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, and the US.
CONTACT: GARFIELD L. ANGUS
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