Previous Story
Govt cites improved recycling
|
Posted on Mar 28 2005
The Marpi sanitary landfill is not filling up as fast as previously projected due to an improved recycling program on island, said Solid Waste Management program director Steve Hiney.
He said the first of the two existing landfill cells is only 40 percent filled. The other one is empty.
“We are actually doing better than we thought. We are not filling it up as quickly as we had planned. …One of the things that we’ve really been successful at has been recycling,” he said.
Hiney cited that almost 90 percent of garment waste is being recycled. Authorities have also designed ways to recover green waste, plastics, heavy metals, and aluminum cans.
He said cell No. 1 would not be filled in three to five years. When it reaches full capacity, cell No. 2 would then be used. Both cells, which were completed after nearly two years, have up to 12 years useful of life.
Authorities’ original plan was to construct up to six cells in Marpi, which would last up to 30 years. So far, no funds have been identified for any expansion.
It is estimated that the construction of a cell costs about $5 million to $7 million.
In the meantime, Hiney said that Solid Waste Management, which is under the Department of Public works, is finding ways to reduce waste.
“We’re looking for alternatives like some technologies available, composting, incineration—those type of technology that can reduce the amount of waste we put on the ground,” he said.
The CNMI government opened the Marpi landfill in February 2003 after over 15 years of struggle to close the island’s Puerto Rico dumpsite.
