What would you do if your community was overrun with garbage — domestic waste-

This was a question that was top of mind when residents of four communities in Ocho Rios-Pimento Walk, Parry Town, Spring Piece and Snow Hill – sat down to discuss ways of improving the environmental health and aesthetics of their areas.

It has taken just over a year but the end results of their combined efforts is a cleaner, more environmentally friendly community and a directive to North Eastern Parks and Markets from minister of local government, Arnold Bertram to include in their estimates of expenditure for 2001-2002, “the sustained collection of waste in Pimento Walk and its environs”.

Nova Johnson, chairman of the community-based steering committee, speaking at a function to celebrate their achievements in Pimento Walk last week said that “the task seemed formidable at first” but after requesting and receiving technical assistance and funding from the Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project (CWIP), they “found a way forward” in developing Pimento Walk, Parry Town and environs’ solid waste management project.

CWIP is a bilateral initiative between the Government of Jamaica’s National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA), and the United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The steering committee decided that their main tasks were to put in place a reliable and effective garbage collection system, clean up and eliminate illegal dump sites, develop an environmental ethic/culture in the communities and to share their experience/successes with other communities; and they set out to do just that.

They have accomplished several milestones including the clean-up of illegal dumps and the placement of garbage drums throughout the community, removal of derelict vehicles, beautification of public areas and the launch of a public education programme in the communities.

Howard Batson, USAID’s director, Office of Environment, described the project as “a bold initiative, the success of which will depend on the co-operation of all sectors, government, non-government organisations, private sector and the community members”.

He charged the residents to “ensure that all areas improved under the project are not allowed to revert to their previous state”.

CWIP chief of party, Dr Scott McCormick lauded the community for taking the initiative to solve their own problems.

He said that the project had special relevance to CWIP since the introduction of an effective solid waste management programme will help reduce the waste material entering the coastal zone and impacting adversely on water quality.

As a result of their efforts, Dr McCormick said, “The Pimento Walk & Environs Waste Management Project, had been able to attract support from a range of other agencies including North Eastern Parks & Markets (NEPM) and the St Ann Parish Council both of which have assisted in the clean-up of the communities.”