Carnival waste management
A concern for NSWMA
THE MPM Waste Management Limited (WML), the corporate arm of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), has expressed concern regarding the increase in pedestrian traffic and consequent littering on Carnival Sunday.
The Sunday Gleaner contacted the Corporate Communications Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and MPM WML, the arm of the NSWMA responsible for the public street cleaning in Kingston and St Andrew. It was uncovered that both entities were unaware of the additional carnival brands expected to be chipping down the road on April 23.
Shauna Guthrie, community relations manager, MPM WML, relayed her concerns, and issued a plea to the promoters of the event to consider making arrangements for waste management.
OPTIONS
“Normally, the promoters would have two options, to contract the commercial arm of the NSWMA, that is, MPM WML, and make an arrangement and enter a contract with them,” Guthrie told The Sunday Gleaner, that promoters could either make arrangements for waste management before the execution of their events or be called upon to pick up the bill after.
On a normal day, the MPM would have the roadways cleaned before sunrise. In the case of carnival, teams would have to be dispatched at multiple times throughout the day. What makes Guthrie most anxious is the possibility of a staggering of the road march execution times.
“There is the option to clean before, during and after the road march, or whatever arrangement they’d like, or they could hire one of the third-party waste haulers,” she continued. “If no arrangement is made, we would be left holding the bag, and then we would have to charge them.”
Like Guthrie, Dahlia Garrick, inspector of police in charge of operations at the Corporate Communications Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), was also unaware of the potential increase in pedestrian traffic this coming April. Instead of wariness, Inspector Garrick expressed confidence in the JCF, declaring that they are accustomed to handling large gatherings.
“The Operations branch is normally engaged to deal with mass gatherings. As we have done in the past, we will work with the works agencies to facilitate smooth movement and diversion of traffic. In regards to specifics, it is not something I’m yet privy to,” she said. “It is a process of discussion and dialogue. Sometimes the promoters also hire private security to help maintain the security of the carnival, as well as the carnival marshalls.”
Along with Bacchanal Jamaica and Jamaica Carnival this year comes the debut of Xodus Carnival, conceptualised by promotions brand Dream Entertainment of party series fame. Dream Entertainment has partnered with one of Trinidad’s premier carnival brands, Young Upwardly Moving Adults (YUMA).