By Stabroek News
Copyright stabroeknews
Dear Editor,
In recent months, the spotlight on solid waste management in Georgetown, Guyana, has intensified, highlighting urgent public health and environmental challenges. As a former steward of the city’s municipal operations, I have observed the progression of our waste systems with growing concern, especially amid rising urban development and health risks. Effective waste management is not merely an administrative task; it is a cornerstone of public health protection, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. By understanding these issues, residents can advocate for change and adopt practices that safeguard our shared future.
A promising development is the proactive stance of the newly appointed Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. Her hands-on inspections, including a recent visit to the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill at Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara, demonstrate leadership grounded in reality. Rather than depending solely on bureaucratic reports, this approach acknowledges the tangible impacts of waste policies on air quality, water resources, and human health. Such engagement fosters public trust and underscores the need for policies that prioritise ecological balance and disease prevention.
Commissioned in 2011, the Haags Bosch facility represented a leap forward from the outdated open dumpsite at Mandela Avenue, incorporating modern sanitary engineering to minimise pollution. A critical feature was the designated buffer zone; a protective perimeter designed to shield nearby populations from landfill emissions. This zone acts as a barrier against volatile organic compounds, methane gases, and foul odors that can exacerbate respiratory issues, allergies, and other health concerns. It also prevents leachate, contaminated liquid from decomposing waste, from infiltrating groundwater, which could lead to waterborne diseases if not managed properly.
Regrettably, this essential safeguard has been compromised. Urban expansion, including residential areas like Windsor Estates, has encroached upon the buffer, bringing homes perilously close to the site. Compounding this, approvals for commercial ventures, such as supermarkets, in these zones reflect shortsighted planning that favours economic gains over long-term health equity. Residents now endure chronic exposure to odours and potential airborne toxins, increasing risks of asthma, skin irritations, and stress-related ailments. Educating the public on these hazards empowers communities to demand zoning reforms that preserve green buffers, enhancing biodiversity and reducing urban heat islands.
Engineered for about 400 tons of waste annually, Haags Bosch now handles an overwhelming 1200 tons (more than triple its capacity). This overload accelerates site degradation, hindering effective waste compaction, odour control, and leachate collection. Resulting methane emissions contribute to climate change, while unmanaged runoff pollutes rivers and aquifers, potentially spreading pathogens and heavy metals. For public awareness, it is crucial to recognise that such strain shortens landfill lifespan, necessitating costly alternatives and amplifying environmental footprints.
Alarmingly, about 70% of waste destined for Haags Bosch is recyclable, including plastics, cardboard, glass, and metals. Diverting these through source separation could extend the landfill’s viability by decades, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources. From a public health lens, reduced landfill volume means fewer vectors for pests and diseases, like mosquitoes breeding in stagnant leachate pools.
Economically, recyclables foster a circular economy, where materials are reused, minimising raw resource extraction and pollution. Guyana’s environmental tax on imported bottles presents an opportunity: reallocating funds to incentives for collection could transform litter—clogging streets, drains, and waterways—into income streams. This not only prevents flooding and vector-borne illnesses but also generates jobs in recycling, promoting social equity. Georgetown’s existing recycling plant stands ready; with supportive policies, it could educate citizens on sustainable habits, turning waste into community assets.
However, a critical oversight in our discourse is pathological waste—medical refuse from hospitals, clinics, and labs, laden with infectious agents like bacteria and viruses. Without dedicated treatment, such as autoclaving or incineration, it may contaminate general waste streams, posing biohazard risks at Haags Bosch. Transparency here is vital for public education: improper disposal could trigger outbreaks of hepatitis, HIV, or other infections. Regulations must ensure segregated handling to protect sanitation workers and ecosystems. These linkages – from eroded buffers and capacity crises to recycling gaps and biomedical threats- demand a holistic National Solid Waste Management Plan. Essential elements include:
Legally enforced buffer zones to mitigate exposure to pollutants.
Mandatory source separation to reduce waste volumes and promote recycling literacy.
Public-private collaborations for innovative recycling, enhancing economic resilience.
Stringent protocols for hazardous waste, ensuring safe disposal and monitoring.
Awareness campaigns via schools and media to teach waste reduction’s health benefits.
Incentives for green entrepreneurship, creating jobs in waste recovery.
Though complex, these issues are addressable through collective action. The Minister’s initiative could catalyze reform, integrating environmental justice with public health priorities. By embracing sustainability, Guyana can model Caribbean leadership, fostering healthier communities and a resilient planet. Let’s educate ourselves and act—our well-being depends on it.
Royston King
