Functions of the Solid Waste Management Division:

The Division is mainly responsible to:

 

	Develop/review Solid Waste Management programmes and policies
	Identify new disposal sites, manage and control existing temporarily dumping sites, transfer stations, landfill  and supervise the sites
	Coordinate waste collection operations carried out by Local Authorities and other Organisations
	Investigate and report on complaints received from the public and media
	Carry out Licensing of Waste Carriers vehicles
	Enforcement of the Local Government Dumping and Waste Carriers Regulations
	Register scavenging contractors

Solid Waste Management Strategy

The present strategy of disposing wastes at the landfill and/or dumping sites will in the long-run be no longer sustainable or appropriate with the rapid increase in waste generation, scarcity of appropriate landfill sites and the density of human settlement. A new strategy has been developed, following recommendations from external consultants, based on three broad principles:-

Minimisation of waste production (List of recyclers)
Prevention or avoidance of waste generation in terms of quantities and hazardousness when products and goods are being manufactured, transformed, transported and consumed

Maximisation of value derived from waste
Recovery of materials and resources from waste, by means of active recycling activities and composting, which would result in the reduction of the amount to be disposed of at the landfill.

Environmental waste treatment and disposal
Sound practices for best possible waste disposal method for a particular type(s) of waste having the minimum impact on the environment would be opted for.

The Measures proposed in the National Action Plan, to be implemented on a priority basis include: -

(i) construction of additional transfer stations and upgrading of existing ones;
(ii) construction of additional waste disposal facilities; and
(ii) setting up of a compost plant.