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#382698 05/01/10 08:15 AM
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Marty Offline OP
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If the scorching heat and suffocating humidity of the last couple of days is any indication of what to expect for Summer 2010, then today's announcement by the Solid Waste Management Authority that it's closing the troublesome dumpsite at mile 3 on the Western Highway, is timely. It's been the scorn of many who reside within the reach of its acrid smoke and putrid stench, and the scene of many dreaded multiple alarm fires during the hot Belize summer months. As the country prepares for the possibility of record-breaking temperatures this year, the Authority wants to minimize the occurrences of the all too familiar fires during the sizzling summer months.

And so, with the financial backing of the International Development Bank the Authority is embarking on a multi-million dollar project to bring relief to city residents by way of closing the existing dumpsite and replacing it with a permanent way station for garbage produced by those municipalities falling under what the authority calls the Western Corridor.

The plan is to construct a state-of-the-art transfer site at the existing location which will accept garbage from the City of Belize, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Santa Elena and San Ignacio, then consolidate, compact and use its eco friendly processing facility to recycle materials prior to hauling unwanted garbage to a new and permanent landfill located at Mile 24 on the Western Highway.

It's a four year plan, so for right now don't expect an overnight change at the dumpsite, but according to Gilroy Lewis, the Director of Solid Waste Management and Authority, a facelift for right now is a good start.

The total cost of the project is a little over US$14.5 million dollars, with a little over US$11 million coming from the IDB and the rest coming from the OPEC fund for International Development, with a small portion from the Government of Belize counterpart funds. The project, which got underway officially on Wednesday of this week, is expected to employ somewhere around 75 Belizeans.

Channel 7

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Is garbage from San Pedro/Caye Caulker currently taken to the mainland? All of it or just some, and if so how is it selected and transported?

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It does not leave the island (with the exception of old vehicles and batteries).--You've never gone south Peter?
When you get to the Holiday Lands keep to the right.(West)

Last edited by belizeonthebeach; 05/03/10 08:23 PM. Reason: I need a compass I guess
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I know where the dump is. But the article above refers to garbage from these two cayes being processed at the new facility on the mainland, so I was just wondering whether any goes that route at present. Because if not I wonder how they're going to manage the operational aspects of packaging it up and shipping it, without most of it ending up either back on the island or sprinkled across the Caribbean.

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FYI Peter, that is the new dump.
The old dump resides under the Escalante Subdivision or close to it--it was West of Victoria House

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I'm not sure which is which, but that's immaterial. They're talking about shipping garbage to the mainland. I'm wondering if that has been thought through, that's all.

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i don't know why not--there are empty barges going that way everyday--its a shame we couldnt do that--need trucks and dumpsters etc.
A transfer station is what we need here

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To do it safely they'd need specialist sealed containers, or the wind at sea would suck quite a lot out. On AC they just pile it high on open trucks, and that won't be nearly good enough for shipping.

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Marty Offline OP
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Solid Waste Management program begins
[Linked Image]
On Friday April 30th the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Beverly Castillo along with Director of the Solid Waste Management Authority, Gilroy Lewis; and other personnel from the solid waste management authority were at the old Belize City Dump site for the official launching of the solid waste management program.

Lewis told the Guardian that as of Wednesday 28 April 28th, preliminary work began in Belize City for the closing down of the existing garbage dump at mile 3 on the Western highway. The work will entail the improving of the existing site by covering up the exposed garbage to reduce the risk of fires in the area. Government is investing some 650 thousand U.S. dollars out of a total 14.78 million U.S. dollars which will see the closure of dumpsites in San Ignacio; San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; Caye Caulker and Belize City. The intention is to have transfer stations established at the existing dumpsites for garbage to be moved to a sanitary landfill located at mile 24 on the Western Highway where recycling and composting activities will be conducted. Lewis explains that from and environmental perspective the inadequate management of solid waste creates adverse effects to the environment, soil, water resources and also poses a health hazard.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by June 20th.

The Guardian

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I wonder what Phase 1 comprises? I still seriously wonder whether the complications and risks of shipping garbage have been fully thought through.

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