MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Southern Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited (SPM) has asked to be included in decisions by the local authorities regarding the granting of place of amusement licences to enable more efficiency in garbage collection.

Speaking at the regular monthly meeting of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, customer relations officer for the entity Stacey-Ann Anderson said that it poses a challenge when events are held without any arrangement or plan for waste disposal.

The inclusion of the SPM in the process of amusement licence approval would provide the agency with vital information.

“At least we will know… where the functions are being held and at least some arrangement is made for the collection and disposal (of the waste). I believe that it will provide some semblance of order when that is done,” she said.

Additionally, Anderson said, her organisation is asking for the assistance of the Manchester Municipal Corporation to ensure that some areas in the parish are policed to combat littering and illegal dumping.

She said that there is a “proliferation” of mini dumps which her organisation continues to clear but there is need for a permanent solution.

Anderson said that the problem necessitates “No Dumping” signs and monitoring with the help of the municipal officers assigned to the corporation.

Many recurring concerns such as a backlog in garbage collection, inefficient and untidy collection methods, and alleged poor behaviour of some garbage collectors were discussed at the meeting.

SPM representatives said the agency was trying to improve service with the use of supplementary trucks, training, and more open communication with the public through social media.

Zone monitor Robert Johnson said people needed to take greater responsibility in dealing with garbage.

“Solid waste problem is really a Jamaica problem. We have to have individual responsibility and collective responsibility of how we dispose of our waste,” he said.

Beverly Boothe, parish manager for the Social Development Commission, argued for a concerted move towards workable solutions.

She said those solutions could include getting the Anti-litter Act enforced and encouraging land owners to fence their property in order to prevent illegal dumping.

“You are the lawmakers of the parish. What are you going to be doing?” Boothe asked councillors and officers of the Manchester Municipal Corporation.

SPM is under the banner of the Government-operated National Solid Waste Management Authority and is responsible for garbage collection in Manchester, St Elizabeth and Clarendon.