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Diamars, 29 Augustus 2023 AWEMainta ENGLISH 21

News in English

Growing Concerns Over Improper

Waste Management in Aruba

ccording to Aruba’s Minister of
Athe Environment, Ursell Arends,

his approach to waste management is
under control, as the public adapts to
the changes introduced since the be-
ginning of the year. Yesterday morning,

Minister Arends stated that one of the
key issues related to household waste
processing is a matter of people’s val-
ues, and he even questioned the fact

that Aruba has the highest per capita
rate of waste disposal in the Caribbe-
an.

He attributed this to societal norms
and suggested that it’s time for the
island’s population to take responsi-
bility for this alarming trend.

With the government’s decision to waste disposal when they previously growing issue.
implement changes proposed by did not have to. While Minister Arends The Moko dam has now become a
Minister Arends for more effective acknowledges that it is the communi- small dumping ground, serving as an

waste processing control, nearly seven ty’s responsibility to dispose of waste alternative to the decision to close
months have passed, yet the situation responsibly, there is growing dissatis- the Parkietenbos landfill. This raises
appears to be spiraling out of control. faction with the government’s lack of questions about the rationale behind
For the past few months, various media financial support for the introduced imposing an additional financial burden

outlets have been highlighting how the changes. on the public for waste management
public’s perspective on the RAIZ party practices that are not widely accepted.
leader’s mandates has shifted. As a Throughout Aruba, in almost every
result, people across the island have neighborhood, discarded waste The concern over improper waste

started disposing of household waste containers, plastic bags, and various management practices in Aruba high-
improperly. other materials can be seen strewn lights the complexity of balancing
about. The situation in the Moko area environmental stewardship and finan-
The shortage of funds has become has particularly drawn the attention of cial considerations. As the island faces

a pressing issue, as individuals are residents, as the number of instances these challenges, it becomes increas-
resorting to discarding waste wher- of improper waste disposal seems to ingly important for government offi-
ever they can due to the lack of proper be escalating day by day. The alterna- cials and the public to work together
disposal options. This has led to an tive presented by the government and to find solutions that are both envi-

additional financial burden on citi- Minister Arends has not resonated well ronmentally sustainable and finan-
zens who are now required to pay for with the community, leading to this cially feasible.