Previous Story
A ton of trash collected in Precinct 5
|
Posted on May 03 2022
Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan) takes a selfie with some of the Precinct 5 volunteers who helped with the Earth Day Trash Drop-Off on Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Contributed Photo)
More than a ton of trash was collected in Kagman on Earth Day when the Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan) and Rep. Richard Lizama (D-Saipan) conducted their third community trash drop-off last April 23.
This was the third time the Precinct 5 representatives partnered to provide centralized trash collection services for their constituents, and the turnout was so great that the dumpsters needed to be emptied twice.
“I thought it went very well. Now that we’ve done it three times, the word is really starting to get around,” said Lizama. “It was great to see some familiar faces of our residents who continue to use the service. Even though the turnout is bigger each time, our team finds the event easier to coordinate.”
The trash drop-off received more than 2,400 lbs of typhoon debris, furniture, metal waste and appliances, but the most used dumpster was for household trash, which Staffler said demonstrated the need for universal trash collection.
“We know there are 5,000 households who do not have trash collection service and that accounts for the large volume of household trash we received. Kagman is one of the CNMI’s largest residential areas. Providing this service goes a long way to improve the everyday lives of our residents who can now enjoy cleaner homes without the fuel expense that comes with making the trip to Marpi,” Staffler said.
The Department of Public Works is developing plans for a future solid waste transfer station in the village of Kagman near the old quarry, and Staffler said the facility can’t come soon enough.
“People are already asking when we’re going to host the next trash collection event so we’re going to try and schedule one more before the end of the year,” she said.
For more information about future events in Precinct 5, call Staffler’s office at (670) 664- 8892, via email at rep.staffler@gmail.com. (PR)
