ST JAMES, Jamaica – The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), through the WPM Waste Management Limited, successfully conducted a plastic bottle collection drive in Estuary, St James, to mark Global Recycling Day, on Monday, March 18.

This initiative resulted in the collection of over 500 pounds of plastic bottles and the erection of an eco-sculpture to highlight the community’s commitment to environmental conservation.

Similar activities were undertaken in Canterbury, Paradise Rowe, Albion Lane, Montego West Village, Ryne Park, Bogue Village, Cornwall Court and other communities, all aimed at promoting plastic separation and recycling.

Regional Operations Manager of WPM Waste Management Limited, Edward Muir, expressed his delight at the turnout and emphasised the importance of community involvement in waste separation.

He said to further encourage recycling, the WPM team has placed receptacles in the community and will regularly collect separated plastic bottles.

“We have brought out the full team today to ensure that residents buy into separating their plastics, because the less plastics that garbage trucks have to pick up each day, the more space we have to collect other garbage and the less waste we have,” Muir pointed out.

Additionally, he noted that efforts are being made to reuse materials, such as painting and repurposing old tires to beautify the area.

Last year, a similar programme was initiated in Hanover, focused on separating plastic waste, and installing communal receptacles for residents to dispose of their garbage properly.

“It is important to get the support of the residents, so that they can buy into the situation, because what we don’t want is for people to throw plastic bottles on the street. This can block drains and lead to flooding. Also, it creates an unsightly situation within the communities,” Muir explained.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon, commended the initiative, emphasising the detrimental effect of plastic waste on the environment.

He stressed the need for increased recycling efforts and encouraged residents to actively participate in waste management programmes.

“This is a highly populated community. Therefore, the usage of plastic will naturally be high as well, and in that sense it is important to have such an initiative being done here. I also know that they are setting up a site to collect plastic bottles and also to promote waste separation. So, this is a great initiative,” Vernon underscored.

Resident, Aretha Johnson, expressed her support for the initiative, citing previous clean-up exercises that yielded large amounts of plastic waste in Estuary.

Being a member of the community committee, she said she will try to rally the residents to practise proper waste management and tell them of the positive impact it will have on the community.

-JIS