Beautify CNMI! aims to address solid waste issue

Environmental group Beautify CNMI is eyeing a universal trash collection system, which they believe would be one of the solutions for the problem of solid waste maintenance in the villages and littering in tourist areas or historical sites.

Rep. Edwin Propst (Ind-Saipan), who was among those invited by former lawmaker Cinta M. Kaipat from the Legislature along with Rep. Vinnie F. Sablan (Ind-Saipan), said he has met with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and discussed the issue on solid waste management.

“The governor told me that we must work on this issue. We should start addressing the trash and littering issues not only in tourist areas but also in the villages,” said Propst, who is part of the group that attended the meeting last week at the Marianas Visitors Authority conference room.

An anti-littering bill has been sent back to the House of Representatives after the Senate made some amendments to it. Propst said they are confident that the bill would pass and Torres would sign it into a law.

Bureau of Environmental Coastal Quality recycling coordinator Aileen Benavente added that an interagency anti-littering task force should also be formed to strictly enforce the law and impose fines and penalties to those who would violate it.

“As much as possible we want to have every government agency that is involved in implementing the law to be part of it. We will also train BECQ personnel to impose the appropriate fine to those caught throwing and illegally dumping trash,” she added.

The fines could start at $25 and would increase depending on the severity of the violation. Those caught would also be required to do community service.

Using trusted inmates is another solution being proposed to help in picking up litter on the road and Kaipat said she would meet with Corrections chief Georgia Cabrera to discuss the idea. Inmates who would take part in the activity would be given certificates that they could be presented to the Parole Board as a sign of good standing.

Kaipat said she would meet with Cabrera to further discuss the use of trusted inmates.

The group also agreed that more trash bins must be put in place in villages especially with some people in the CNMI could not afford to pay trash collection companies.

A longterm universal trash collection is being proposed where fees would be waived and agencies like the Department of Public Works or Division of Parks and Recreation could do weekly pick up.

“It can be done. A large part of the population has no money to pay for trash collection,” said Propst.