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by Patricia Campbell
Can someone please explain to me what are the criteria for the distribution of the new roll-out carts and recycling bins? As far as I know, the Residential Waste Collection Improvement Project, a collaboration by the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) and ProSource Limited, was designed to encourage Barbadians to separate their waste, reduce the amount of garbage that goes to the national landfill, provide a cleaner and greener environment for Barbadians and visitors alike, while making it easier for sanitation workers who will no longer have to lift the bins when emptying them.
I was therefore surprised to learn that my residential rental property did not qualify for the distribution of such bins because it was classified as a ‘commercial’ entity. Years after purchasing my home, I subsequently converted it into four apartments, one of which my daughter occupies and the other three are residential rentals.
Several years ago, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) conducted a census which resulted in my water meter being converted from residential to commercial because there were three electrical meters on my property.
Furthermore, as a ‘commercial’ entity, the SSA garbage and Sewer Contributions are extremely high and is equal to fifty (50) per cent of the water usage.
How can apartments where persons reside be considered as commercial entities? My apartments are registered with the Barbados Revenue Authority and are classified as residential property.
Any income gained from these apartments is added to my personal income and taxed accordingly. I could perhaps understand if the apartments were rented to business entities, but they are the homes of persons who cannot afford to own their own. Why are we being penalised? Due to this odd classification, which emanated from the BWA’s census, neither my daughter nor my tenants have received garbage bins.
This clearly defeats the purpose for which the bins are being provided.
Coincidentally, similar residences in the area with apartments with multiple electrical meters have been given several bins!
This leads me to ask another question: Why are some residential apartments classified as ‘commercial’ while others are not? Up to this time, I have been unable to get a reasonable explanation by either the SSA or ProSource Limited as to why no bins were distributed to my property especially given the excerpt below: The Residential Waste Collection Improvement Project will contribute to improved health and wellbeing of all residents, improve the visual appeal of the country and mean Barbados is well placed to attract the new planet conscious traveler.
In addition, these improvements in technology will provide better working conditions for the Sanitation Service Authority staff. Householders across the country will also benefit from the project as each 65 gallon roll-out cart is fitted with a lid to keep out rodents and pests. (Source: ProSource Limited: About this project).
I await a national response to this anomaly.
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