‘Stop putting hazardous & flammable materials into waste stream’- DWM Director
Director of Waste Management Mr Marcus E. Solomon reported that the dumpsite tipping area caught fire, and the fire quickly extended to the BVI Electricity Plant, which is located in close proximity to the fire. The Fire and Rescue Service was immediately notified and worked to extinguish the blaze.
Possible cause of fire
Mr Solomon said the fire was likely caused by older garbage heat which came into contact with combustibles.
“The combustion of the materials could be heard on the site and spread to the entire garbage load, which fueled the quick acceleration of the fire,” Mr Solomon stated in a press release on December 9, 2023.
The Director further explained that because the incinerator is currently inoperable, DWM is having issues with processing the waste in a timely manner, which is contributing to garbage staying in the tipping area longer than desirable.
Public’s help needed
According to the Director, while his Department is working on much-needed equipment, improvement to the current infrastructure at the dump site, as well as the training and monitoring of contractors, he also needs the public to play its part.
“We are pleading with the community to reduce, repurpose, and reuse to assist with decreasing waste generation. We also want them to stop putting hazardous and flammable materials into the waste stream,” Mr Solomon said.
Hazardous materials include flares, gas tanks, empty AC gas canisters, and other flammable and combustible items.
Persons who have these types of materials to dispose of should contact the Department of Waste Management on 468-4934 for special instructions.
Public's access to dumpsite limited
Meanwhile, the public has also been advised that until further notice the Pockwood Pond dumpsite “will not be accepting” any garbage.
DWM said only persons with the ability to reach the top of the hill will be allowed to access the site.
Mr Solomon said DWM apologises for the inconvenience experienced by the public due to the fire and smoke emanating from it.
Low-level fire
He said the fire is now a low-level fire, and DWM is hoping to extinguish it by tomorrow evening, December 12, 2023.
"The dumpsite is open until 6:00 PM to the public to drop off their garbage, but we prefer they utilise transport vehicles that can reach the hilltop to dump the garbage," Mr Solomon told Virgin Islands News Online.
The Pockwood Incinerator itself has been hit with major fires over the years, the latest being in February of 2022, and has been inoperable since then.
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21 Responses to “‘Stop putting hazardous & flammable materials into waste stream’- DWM Director”
So where we must put them?
In the meanwhile, the solid waste stream load should to the maximum extent practical be reduced, ie, recycling,,etc. The Department can’t just tell customers to avoid putting flammable and hazardous items in the waste stream. It should establish a robust public education and outreach programme on the risks and dangers of putting such items in the waste stream. The Department should develop mailers and insert them in monthly bills., etc. If flammable and hazardous can’t be put in the waste stream what are customers suppose to do with them? The Department must have a plan of action. I would suggest a special collection process for flammable and hazardous items, along with a special pre- location for these items.
RANKIN & THE COMMISSIONER HAS BECOME THE NARRATIVE FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN FROM THE THE DUDE WITH THE WIG , WHO LOVE TO HEAR HIMSELF SING ????????????
Specific days for collection of trash
1 bin for plastics. This will help with recycling
1 bin for combustible items. Less fires and explosions at the site.
1 bin for paper and other waste - Quicker processing of garbage due o separation
Large bulk waste like beds and dressers can be picked up also
A lot of countries does this we can do something similar its not that difficult to implement
As others have pointed out, all this has been years in the making and is a result of poor planning and foresight for decades. Populations and their needs grow over time, as does the waste generated whether we like or not. Many may not like a trashed out island but the political will and social drive to deal with it remains weak.