New garbage collection company in the works...
Government approves and grants concessions

By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts- PRIME MINISTER, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, in his most recent press briefing, informed the populace that another waste removal company would be coming on stream in St. Kitts and that it had received the government’s ‘blessing’.

This put an end to weeks of speculation of such after a number of unused garbage trucks and waste bins were parked in the vicinity of the Washington Archibald High School since around August 13.

The waste collection equipment sparked even more curiosity after the Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC) fleet was reduced from three vehicles to just one and citizens were made to tolerate a once-per-week garbage collection schedule.

Rumours surrounding the equipment have alleged that the vehicles were imported by a private company aiming to augment the SWMC, particularly in the area of recycling. These rumors were bolstered by comments made by the Prime Minister at his recently held monthly press conference.

“On Monday (Aug. 25), at the Cabinet meeting, we received a proposal from a local investor who is about to be engaged in [waste removal] and we gave it full approval with the necessary concessions.

“[This person will deal with] not only the collection of waste, but also the separation of the waste with the potential of recycling. That is the kind of activity that we would want our people to become engaged in, especially at this time of our development,” Douglas told gathered media.

The PM did not reveal the specifics of the proposal put forth to Cabinet, but hinted that the private investor may deal with “plastics and other recyclable materials”, which he enthusiastically approved of.

“There is no point in burying something that can be recycled. So, out of what has been a troubling period, I must say there has been some good because our people are now rising to the occasion.”     ~~Adz:Left~~

Speaking to the SWMC Project Officer in charge of recycling, Sydney Matthew, SKNVibes was informed that recycling in St. Kitts is merely in its “baby stages”, with only large batteries and derelict vehicles being collected at this time.

Matthew said that the SWMC was not aware of any official plastic recycling programme being put in place, but noted that talks of such a programme had taken place.

“[On September 3] a gentleman was in the office that had an interest in a plastic recycling programme, but we have not yet established any interest from another country that so desires to receive these shipments.”

He then stated that contracting an overseas receiver of gathered materials was a vital issue that has stunted the growth of past recycling attempts in St. Kitts.

“Some time back there was an investor from Canada who expressed an interest in recycling scrap metal, but they did not think we had enough to make it cost effective. So, that went out the window.”

Douglas claimed he could not recall the name of the investor in the venture and also did not reveal any information with regard to a tentative start-up date for the new waste removal company.