Georgetown Chambers of Commerce blasts improper garbage disposal by businesses

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) strongly urges all businesses in Georgetown to adhere to proper garbage disposal methods. In a statement the Chambers said it is extremely concerned about garbage build-up along Regent, Robb, and Charlotte Streets and believes that it is a hazardous practice with severe environmental consequences.

GCCI encourages citizens and business owners to refrain from dumping garbage in the roadways and drains.

“There must be zero tolerance for individuals and businesses who contribute to littering.The Chamber urges the Mayor and City Council to impose harsher penalties on businesses and residents who dispose of their garbage indiscriminately.”

The City Council has proposed harsher penalties to curb the practice of littering which was rejected by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall.

Presently it is an offence to deposit litter in a public place; deposit litter from a moving vehicle unto a public place; and cause or permit persons to commit offences to deposit litter in a public space or from a moving vehicle unto a public space. Person (s) found guilty of any of these offences shall be fined a sum of between $50,000 – $100,000 or face imprisonment for three months.

The Council proposed amending the Municipal and District Act, Chapter 28:01 where a person could be fined $10,000 for littering, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can penalise an individual for up to $50,000 and a corporate body can be fined $100,000.

The amendment would have seen a $10,000 fine for a first offence; $20,000 for a second offence; and a third offence no less than $35,000 but no more than $500,000.  If payment of the fine remains outstanding after 72 hours, the violator would become liable to imprisonment for six months.

“Concurrently, the Chamber requests that the Mayor and City Council acknowledge their responsibility for ensuring timely garbage collection in order to avoid citizens and businesses using non-collection as an excuse for littering and improper disposal.”

The body reminds littering not only negatively impacts the environment, but poses serious health risks that a population of our size cannot afford.