![]() One of the advocates is Gary Aboud, Corporate Secretary for Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS). In these instances, the air quality becomes extremely hazardous, taking a day to clear up.Īctivists, residents, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are actively advocating for policy changes and the introduction of more stringent measures to reduce the occurrence of illegal burning of waste at these sites. This was also the case on April 6, 2023, when a fire at the southern tip of the landfill discharged a large plume of smoke into the Beetham and Port of Spain areas. I still remember the smell and the haze.” We were sent home from school that week, and I had a friend who was on bedrest because her asthma had aggravated so badly. ![]() She said, “The fire was so large that smoke spread across the entire northwest peninsula. She highlighted that the smoke emissions from the fire in 2014 resulted in the temporary halt of her classes at Holy Name Convent in Port of Spain. Christianne Zakour is an environmental advocate and has recalled large fires in 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2023. Small fires do not cause so much damage, but the smoke from larger fires travels all the way to Port of Spain.įires at the Beetham landfill have been observed for years. Jahbari says that smoke emissions and air pollutants are an ongoing and problematic issue for Beetham residents. I don’t know what they can do for that, to be honest, but they could try and keep people out of the landfills, stop unnecessary machinery, and put more security around the district.” It probably took about 2–3 days to fully clear. He said, “My area doesn’t experience as much as before, but you can say once every 2 weeks. Jahbari Franklyn, a Beetham resident, says the situation is concerning. This is then followed by the Forres Park landfill in Claxton Bay, with few occurrences of fire emanating from the site.īeetham residents experience smoke emissions from waste burning at the landfill regularly. The Beetham landfill has also encountered greater smoke emissions from fires, extending as far as the city of Port of Spain. At Beetham, there is limited surveillance and security. Of the four landfills, Beetham is the most vulnerable to the illegal burning of waste, the prevalence of scavengers, and illegal activities due to its proximity to residential areas. In Tobago, although not quantified, a report by the Tobago House of Assembly states that areas such as Scarborough and Rockley Vale have generated the most waste, with higher amounts of paper and paperboard waste, plastics, and textiles. The Beetham Landfill receives approximately 500 metric tonnes per day, while Forres Park and Guanapo receive 300 metric tonnes per day. However, there are significant differences in waste collection at each site. The waste comprises 66% household waste and 33% of industrial, commercial, and institutional origin. In Trinidad, these waste sites receive approximately 700,000 metric tonnes of waste per year, or 1500 to 2000 metric tonnes per day. Waste is collected in municipalities in Trinidad and Tobago and then transported to landfills. The impact of openly burning waste has created severe climate, human, and ecological concerns for surrounding communities. But there is a growing concern as it relates to the pollutant being released into the air through the illegal burning of waste. ![]() These landfills facilitate waste collection on a grander scale. The first three landfills are in Trinidad and are managed by the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL), while the Tobago landfill is managed by the Tobago House of Assembly. In Trinidad and Tobago, there are four landfills: Beetham, Forres Park, Guanapo, and Tobago. “Activists and NGOs Rally for Stricter Measures to Curb Illegal Waste Burning, Urging Environmental and Climate Justice in Trinidad and Tobago” Illegal Burning of Waste At Landfill Sites In Trinidad and Tobago Heightens Air Pollution Risks ![]()
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