KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has issued a strong national call for a behavioural shift in how Jamaicans dispose of waste, warning that current practices pose a serious threat to the country’s environment, public health and overall quality of life.

Holness made the call while addressing residents in his St Andrew West Central constituency on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

He pointed to the widespread presence of litter across the island, noting that improper waste disposal has become a visible and growing concern.

“There’s scarcely a road that you can drive on in Jamaica that you don’t see littered along the way, and that speaks to a deeper issue in how we treat our environment,” he was quoted as saying in a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Emphasising that the challenge extends beyond infrastructure, the prime minister underscored the role of individual responsibility and national values. He questioned whether the country has become desensitised to suboptimal sanitation and environmental conditions, asking, “Have we become desensitised? Are we comfortable living in it as it is? Or have we simply accepted this as the norm in how we treat our surroundings?”

Holness made it clear that such conditions are inconsistent with Jamaica’s identity and standards.

“That is not the Jamaica I know. It is un-Jamaican, and every Jamaican has a responsibility to ensure that the environment is clean and that we take pride in the spaces we live, work and raise our families,” he stated.

He stressed that addressing the issue requires a cultural shift in behaviour, where responsible waste disposal becomes a shared national priority for every citizen. He noted that lasting change will depend on citizens taking ownership of their actions within their homes and communities.

The prime minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen waste management, including investments through the National Solid Waste Management Authority, which is being repositioned toward a stronger regulatory and enforcement role.

He noted plans to mandate plastic separation and recycling across all ministries, departments, agencies and statutory bodies, supported by forthcoming legislation, building on existing measures such as the ban on certain single-use plastics.

Additional actions include expanding the state’s garbage truck fleet, increasing enforcement capacity and undertaking targeted operations to improve compliance.

In addition, the Government has been advancing public education campaigns to promote proper waste disposal and recycling, with a strong focus on youth engagement.

“We are also seeking to cultivate a greater appreciation for recycling among residents and to embed these practices within daily life as part of a broader shift toward responsible and sustainable waste management,” the prime minister said.

While these efforts represent a concerted push to drive awareness and change, Dr Holness emphasised that lasting impact will depend on individual responsibility, noting that every Jamaican must take ownership of keeping their surroundings clean and protecting the national environment.