SOLID WASTE ISSUES ITS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES

Tuesday July 6, 2010

With the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season predicted to have significantly more turbulent weather than previous seasons, the Solid Waste Department urges residents of the Territory to clear their properties and surroundings of debris and waste as part of their hurricane preparedness efforts.

Manager of the Solid Waste Department, Mr. Anslem Myers encourages home and business owners to remove all loose materials and bulky waste such as galvanized sheeting, plywood, empty containers or cardboard boxes since these items can become missiles during a hurricane or a tropical disturbance.

Mr. Myers said “In the aftermath of a weather disturbance, such items could also transform into breeding grounds for disease spreading vermin such as roaches, rodents, mosquitoes and other animals driven to the surface.”

The department is advising property-owners to trim dead or broken branches from trees as these items can also become missiles during a storm. Where possible, the Solid Waste Manager recommends that cases of illegal dumping be reported.

“It is extremely dangerous to dump any type of waste in ghuts and drains because this can lead to serious flooding especially if the earth is saturated after prolonged rainfalls or a flash flood” he said.

Once the Territory is predicted to experience a hurricane or serious weather disturbance, the Solid Waste Department will issue an advisory regarding the final collection of all household garbage approximately 12 to 18 hours prior to the event and public litter bins will be temporarily removed.

Once the advisory is announced, no trash should be deposited in storage receptacles. After the event has passed, the department cautions residents to avoid “sight-seeing” on debris-filled roads since this practice could hinder any clean up efforts by the Solid Waste Department and other governmental agencies.
If dumpsters and litter bins have been temporarily removed they will be restored and residents will be notified via radio when they may resume disposal in communal dumpsters.

The department is reminding residents that damaged vegetation should not be placed inside or next to steel dumpsters. Instead, all forms of waste should be transported directly to the Incinerator Plant at Pockwood Pond.

The Solid Waste Department is the government agency responsible for the collection and disposal of community solid waste, as well as the promotion of proper waste disposal practices.