Major improvements at Waste Management Department

Health Minister Vincent Wheatley (left) and the Director of the Department of Waste Management, Marcus Solomon.

Though he has only held the post for fewer than six months, Director of the Waste Management Department Marcus Solomon said he can attest to two major improvements that have occurred under his leadership at the important government agency.

In an interview with 284 Media, Solomon said the first major improvement is related to the department’s new protocol where fires at dump sites are addressed within 24-48 hours after they’ve been identified.

According to Solomon, the second major improvement is related to the management of waste at the Pockwood Pond site, where waste is being processed promptly in order to prevent fires.

“We try to treat with all waste immediately. If it comes to the dump site, it is appropriately transported up the hill, placed in a cell and covered with topsoil. All those things help to prevent fires and keep flies and rodents away,” Solomon explained.

The Waste Management Department remains one of the most relevant government agencies as residents continue to call for better practices and policies to manage waste in the territory. The department always faces heavy backlash when fires breakout at Pockwood Pond dump site but recently took swift action and ensured that an early morning fire was contained at the site very soon after it was observed.

The territory is still in need of an incinerator to process waste, but residents and the government have admitted residents can do more to improve their own skills to make waste management easier in the territory.

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