Solid Waste Management Bill consultation: National development hinges on fixing waste disposal – Manickchand warns

As Guyana moves closer to overhauling its waste management framework, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand has cautioned that improper waste disposal remains a major obstacle to national development, as the Integrated Solid Waste Management Bill advances through national consultations.
As the bill undergoes enhancement, Manickchand noted that Guyana’s national development cannot advance without addressing improper waste disposal practices. She said the proposed legislation adopts a holistic approach to waste management, including the establishment of modern landfill sites, alongside standard operating procedures, strict monitoring, and enforcement.
The Minister made the remarks on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) during a national consultation on the bill.
“We are trying to address [waste management], and even as we do that, right now in all regions, we’re building – or have begun the process to build – modern landfill sites. And modern landfill sites are now taking into account not only how to dispose of garbage but also how to separate garbage,” she said.
She acknowledged that experts would outline how the proposed systems are designed and properly located, noting that Guyana has not traditionally placed enough emphasis on recycling or on transforming waste into energy or other value-added uses. However, she said this approach is set to change, with more robust discussions now translating into concrete action.
“[We have] experts [that] will come shortly and explain how to separate waste materials. We haven’t been a country that’s spoken about recycling as often as we should – or at all. We haven’t been a country that’s looked at how we can change waste into energy or how to add value in any way to waste. You are going to see not only robust conversations but also actions being taken. These new landfill sites are not dumb sites – they are going to be smart and functional,” she told the officials gathered at the event.

NDCs to manage a small portion of waste
Meanwhile, Manickchand stated that even as large landfill sites are being developed, efforts are underway to ensure that each Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) manages a smaller volume of waste, reducing the amount that ultimately reaches landfills.
“Even as we build out the large landfills, we’re looking to ensure each NDC manages a smaller quantity of garbage that doesn’t reach the landfill. There are many different models – some where you can turn garbage into energy, others into fertiliser. We’re exploring different modular models, because some NDCs can handle larger facilities than others. We are actively engaged in this process,” she explained.
She further highlighted that the Government is actively supporting NDCs by supplying essential resources, including garbage trucks, compactor trucks, and waste bins. While these may seem like minor provisions, she emphasised their importance, noting that officials on the ground understand that discussions about waste disposal are meaningless without the proper facilities to implement solutions.
In line with the proposed legislation, the ministry is also working to ensure that each market is equipped with compactors or other facilities to properly manage waste. The Minister said the Government is in the process of designing or redesigning nearly all existing markets to meet minimum operational standards. She described the initiative as a holistic effort under the leadership of His Excellency, aimed at implementing the country’s first solid waste management law.
Emphasising the evolving nature of legislation, she added, “Laws are never static. Parliament retains the ability to make amendments as the country’s needs change. But as far as we can, we want to get this bill right for the circumstances present and those we can foresee. We are committed to honouring Article 13 of the Constitution, which mandates consultation with a wide range of people – the citizens, organisations, the opposition, and users of any policy or legislation.”

Legislation
The legislation is supported by findings presented by Legal Consultant for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Zero Waste Programme, Romel St Hill, following a comprehensive analysis that informed the drafting of the bill. Under the proposed framework, operators found to be wilfully negligent or responsible for serious environmental harm could face fines exceeding $2 million and/or imprisonment ranging from three to five years.
The draft legislation also introduces a graduated enforcement system, starting with cooperative compliance notices and escalating to enforcement orders, ticketing, and ultimately criminal prosecution where voluntary compliance is not achieved.