Roadtown, Tortola - The Solid Waste Department will be among the organisations celebrating Environment Month, partnering with others to bring greater awareness to environmental issues.

World Environment Day 2009 is being celebrated globally on June 5, under the theme “Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change”. Within the Virgin Islands (UK), June is recognised as Environment Month and various organisations partner to organise awareness activities to highlight environmental issues.

Some of the activities planned by the department include a Bagless Lunch Day with the St. Georges Primary School, Be-a-Solid Waste Officer-for-a-Day with various students around the Territory and a beautification project with the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School. The Solid Waste Department will also be participating in the Parade for the Planet on Wednesday June 10 hosted by the Conservation and Fisheries Department.

This year’s theme for World Environment Day focuses on climate change. Also described to as global warming, climate change refers to the change in weather patterns due to the build up of man-made gases in the atmosphere, which trap the sun's heat. This is often referred to as the “green house effect”. In the Caribbean the impacts of climate change include changes in rainfall patterns, rise in sea temperatures over a certain level, warmer temperatures, habitat loss for indigenous animals and coastal erosion.

“As we commemorate Environment Month there are numerous ways the community can participate through activities or practicing a green lifestyle that would have a positive impact on the environment”,  stated the department’s Waste Education Officer, Miss Nadia James-Lord.

These strategies include replacing harsh chemical cleaners with natural alternatives such as baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and essential oils.

The waste education officer added that the right combination of ingredients produces the same results as abrasive cleaners. Miss James-Lord explained that the acid in lemon juice is effective in removing dirt along with rust stains and, among other things, lemon juice can be used to clean countertops, cutting boards, dishes and faucets. The used lemon can be then composted.

She further explained that distilled white vinegar can be used to remove tarnish, soap scum and mineral deposits. Distilled white vinegar also prevents the growth of mold, mildew and other types of bacteria. It can therefore be used to clean and disinfect floors, countertops, drains and coffee-makers. More information on green strategies can be found at www.unep.org.

The Solid Waste Department is the government agency under the portfolio of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, which is responsible for the collection and disposal of community solid waste throughout the Territory.