 |
 |
 |
|
March 2012
|
While there are some who are aware of the importance of recycling and do in fact recycle, their numbers are way too few. How do we encourage our country to start recycling, and more, to make it a habit? Why recycle? Did you know that the Beetham Landfill in Trinidad accounts for approximately 65% of this country’s waste? Did you know that the average person generates approximately 4 lbs of waste every day, and this amounts to roughly 1,000 tons reaching the landfill daily? It’s no wonder this is found overflowing into our rivers, seas, drains, roadways and just about everywhere! Recycling immediately reduces the quantity of waste that reaches the dumps and this alone has obvious benefits. Research conducted by the Trinidad and Tobago Forestry Division estimated that the forest is home to 678 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles, and at least 2,259 species of plants, of which 10.4% are endemic. The Government should develop a sustainable material management system; waste paper and cardboard boxes can be recycled. This would alleviate the pressure on our natural resources such as our forests, reducing the number of trees destroyed and hence, the extent of destruction and disruption to our very sensitive wildlife. While this may seem an insignificant point to some, let us remember where food chains begin and the domino effect that may result from disruption at just one level. So, what can the average citizen do to help alleviate this problem? A simple thing like composting is another way to encouraging recycling. A great deal of food matter is deposited into the landfill from food processing, pre- and post-consumer utilization, and institutional locations. Most landfills are not designed to break down organic waste. In their present condition, decomposition of food and other waste material produces methane, a greenhouse gas that has a global warming potential that is 72 times over that of carbon dioxide (over 20 years). Endorsing a compost system would reduce the volume of noxious greenhouse gases emitted into our atmosphere, thus contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment. Compost is a great source of minerals essential for good plant growth. In this light, organic waste can alternatively be collected by an assigned body, from businesses, households and various institutions and be deposited at a designated site. The mulch can then be distributed or reasonably sold to farmers to produce organic and healthier agricultural products. The media can assist in creating awareness of recycling. Our local newspaper and television stations provide an efficient way of broadcasting this message and are able to design it to appeal to different categories of people. With the revolution of technology, information can be transmitted on popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter in a straightforward and speedy manner. The Ministry of Education can also introduce the concept of recycling to the school curriculum in the form of seminars, dramatization, competitions and school field trips. They can also promote the development of environmental clubs in schools in which various recycling projects can be undertaken. Allowing students to become proactive and understanding the significance of recycling would lead to a cleaner and eco-friendly T&T. Communities need to work together and take responsibility for their negative actions towards the environment. Waste is often discarded on roadsides and in drains, contributing to constant flooding. Individuals should take up this matter with their local councillor, who will be able to direct them on the measures that should be taken to initiate recycling programmes in their community. The deposit refund system is also good. Basically, this involves returning all cans and bottles to the relevant companies and receiving cash in return. In order for this system to work, the Government can issue subsidies or grants to companies that would compensate for the additional cost that the company incurs when the products are recycled. This may indirectly give manufacturers an incentive to design products at a lower cost. Imagine a world where a single person from every community, no matter how big or small, took steps to encourage recycling in their community in their own way. This would certainly prove to have an immense effect on the way that the world tackles the importance of recycling. Students in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture doing a Semester I course in Environmental Economics were asked to work in groups and produce papers on various environmental issues. This is an extract from the paper presented by a group comprising Anastasia Ramsaroop, Samantha Seepersad, Srilana Amarnath, Sarissa Narine, Sarvani Churai and Julia Miller. |
Streets transformed by rising water, strewn bits and pieces of plastic and various forms of waste surface after just a few minutes of rainfall. We expect it; we complain about it; but what are we doing about it? This much-too-familiar scenario should be enough to convince even the most uninterested observer that Trinidad and Tobago is nowhere near where it should be with respect to recycling.