PTSC challenged to monitor zero waste campaign
News
Kinnesha George
Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez has issued a challenge to the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) to monitor the feasibility of their zero waste campaign.
On Friday, the company launched the campaign in commemoration of Global Recycling Day 2022 with the installation of 18 bins – six for plastic bottles, six for aluminum and six for glass bottles – at City Gate in Port of Spain
Global Recycling Day is celebrated on March 18 and is a recycling initiative that keeps the environment clean.
Addressing the launch, Martinez praised the company for the initiative.
He gave the initiative a year, after which he said that an audit had to be done, detailing the benefits, the educational aspect, while describing its progress.
He said the city of Port of Spain requires a recycling program, but he cannot ask the PTSC to do it for the whole city. affects all regions of this country. Every citizen of this country, even if he does not take public transport, during an excursion he uses it, at some point he sees it passing.
He said initiatives like these would help people understand that the country is moving in the right direction.
“We need to help our citizens understand good habits – education is important, that’s where you start – but you need to develop the habit of putting the waste in its place.”
PTSC chief executive Leon Richardson said public transport connects commuters and PTSC as the company pursues initiatives that would enable greater social responsibility. “This initiative will allow commuters to think twice and become more responsible individuals who could now do their part in preserving the integrity of the environment.
PTSC Chairman Edwin Gooding said the 18 bins will be strategically placed throughout the Port of Spain depot to encourage people to deposit their waste in designated areas.
“The impact of this venture would see thousands of plastic bottles and other non-biodegradable materials collected from recycling, even reducing the occurrence of flooding in downtown Port of Spain, which is in part the result of rubbish.”
Solid Waste Management Company Ltd (SWMCOL) Chairman Ronald Milford said there needed to be significant changes in consumption and the way business is done to save lives, livelihoods and the planet.
“Annual Environmental Reports estimate that the Earth may not live to see the next decade if we don’t tackle our poor waste management practices now. Our natural resources are threatened by indiscriminate dumping and other inappropriate waste management techniques.”