Dear Editor,
I am personally terrified about the future of Guyana with regards to its garbage disposal. While we have moved ahead with greater efforts to ensure better garbage collection, the disposal aspect is still lacking keen attention. The environmental effects of garbage on our environment are voluminous; the waste that ends up in our water will affect all ecosystems existing in the water. Sadly, this can go on to harm animals, including humans, who drink this polluted water and poison us as we drink and use this water daily and as we consume their flesh. Even further, the hazardous chemicals from the garbage that get into the soil can harm plants when they take up the contamination from their roots. Sad to say, we have continuously jeopardised our health by eating these plants that are from polluted soils.
I would like to advise the City and Central Government to consider investing in a biogas digester which would turn our garbage into energy. If not, a foreign investor or the private sector can be brought in to form a partnership.
I also strongly suggest a clampdown on all persons, even businesses that light fires to burn grass, household material, vegetable waste, shrubs and trees. This usually creates huge clouds of black smoke that poisons the atmosphere, affecting those with asthma. There was a time where fires were lit at the La Repentir Cemetery dumpsite and tens of thousands of people, added to the thousands already affected, started to suffer from asthma, hypertension and mental ailments. This needs to be completely eliminated! The laws of our country need to be enforced and the lawlessness must be end!
The Botanical Gardens can recycle its waste products of leaves and grass converting it into compost and then even package it and market it to our local market, Caribbean partners and international traders for sale. Then they can educate persons on how they can engage in personal use of compost. Our youths can become involved in this avenue and use it as a business venture. Youth groups like the Youth Challenge and Come Alive Network can turn this into an activity for young people who have a vested interest in the environment. This will not only help to eliminate our garbage in a safe manner, but it will add to the economic viability of our youth and entrepreneurs. Waste products gathered at our market places such as vegetables, fruits and provisions can be gathered for compost; whether for personal use and/or marketing.
Again, as part of the Government’s ‘Go Green’ Campaign, awareness should be given to how we dispose of garbage which contains lead and other disastrous elements. The undersign recommends that a unity event be held where Guyanese from all sectors of society can come free of cost and dispose of these batteries and demonstrations can be given on how to do so. The Public Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Public Infrastructure Ministry, City Hall and the Opposition can do much good in alienating the improper disposal of garbage which have negative effects on us and the environment.
I am willing to give my support to any movement or group that is advocating for the sustainable future of Guyana; I advise you my fellow Guyanese once again, let us become conscious of the environment and the future we wish to leave for the generations that follow.
Yours sincerely,
Roshan Khan
Chairman
RK’s Guyana
Security Services
