PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs Jr. says the government is stepping up efforts to tackle recurring garbage pile-ups across the island, warning that enforcement measures and fines are on the way for illegal dumping.
Speaking at Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs described the garbage situation in the Cole Bay area over the weekend as the latest in a series of troubling incidents.
He reminded waste haulers of their contractual obligation to collect household garbage daily and urged them to report any vehicle breakdowns or service interruptions immediately to the ministry’s contract management team.
“If you are unable to service an area as contracted, report it. Do not hide it,” Gumbs said.
The minister stressed that keeping the island clean is not solely the government’s responsibility, but a shared duty involving residents, businesses, and contractors.
The government recently extended existing garbage contracts for six months and reassigned certain collection zones to new haulers in an effort to improve reliability. According to Gumbs, these changes have already led to better performance in several known hotspot areas.
He also pointed out that haulers are contracted to collect only household waste, while businesses are expected to arrange private garbage collection services. Commercial waste dumped near roadside bins remains a major concern.
To combat illegal dumping, the VROMI Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and reviewing camera footage to identify offenders.
“The Ministry is working on measures to ensure that fines can be issued in order to ensure compliance with the rules,” Gumbs stated.
He added that the legal groundwork is currently being finalized so authorities can begin issuing penalties to those who violate waste-disposal laws.
Gumbs urged the public to use the landfill properly, noting that disposal of solid waste remains free, yet illegal dumping persists.
“I am asking the community to support a clean, environmentally safe Sint Maarten by following the established rules on waste disposal,” he said.
