Minister ‘disgusted’ by widespread dumping, littering

Minister of Energy and Business Development Senator Lisa Cummins described as a “disgusting” practice the illegal dumping and indiscriminate littering practised by Barbadians, especially since it puts communities at risk during heavy rainfall.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday during debate on the Stormwater Management Bill, Cummins made an impassioned appeal to Barbadians to take greater personal responsibility for how they dispose of garbage, particularly in the context of hurricane season and increased flood risk.

“I cannot tell you how tired I am driving behind cars, ZRs, buses, trucks and see people eat their KFC or Chefette, and then throw the garbage out the car window. It is disgusting,” Cummins said.

She lamented the widespread dumping of bulky waste such as refrigerators, stoves, and mattresses in scenic, green spaces, saying the practice was not only unsightly but directly contributed to flooding by blocking drains and watercourses.

“There is no reason for Barbadians to find every beautiful, scenic route in this country and dump old fridges and stoves. It is ridiculous and disgusting. It is time to stop it,” she said.

The minister reminded the public that the Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) offers special collection services at no cost and stressed that there are ample garbage bins provided by the Government for residential use.

“When the rain falls and we begin to see all kinds of garbage that has no business in our drainage systems, we know it didn’t walk there,” she said.

“The people who bought it and used it threw it there and then the same people say nobody came to clean the drains.”

She argued that rights must come with responsibilities and called on Barbadians to uphold their duty to keep the country clean, not just for aesthetics, but for safety.

“We live where people vacation. That’s what we say, right? So respect it accordingly,” Cummins urged.

She tied her remarks directly to the bill, noting that Part 5 outlines general prohibitions on the obstruction of public stormwater infrastructure, including the improper disposal of garbage, the erection of fences and other barriers that interfere with drainage.

“This is a Stormwater Bill that speaks to our drainage infrastructure and the importance of keeping it free. There are things that you can’t avoid, but garbage in the drains is not one of them,” she added, noting that the legislation included a fine of up to $20 000 for individuals who improperly dispose of waste in public stormwater infrastructure.

The Stormwater Management Bill seeks to modernise the island’s approach to drainage, outlining responsibilities for landowners, developers, and the general public in maintaining proper flow of stormwater and reducing flood risks. (SM)