“I think it’s a legitimate complaint. We are now closed on Wednesday (and Sunday). But if we have to comply with the 64-work hours, we have to shut it down every Wednesday,” Sablan told the Variety.
He said his office is now reviewing the landfill personnel’s schedule to see how the 64-hour work rule can be implemented without having to close the facility during weekdays.
Some businesses have complained that trash collectors are not collecting their trash because they cannot bring it to the landfill every Wednesday.
“We’re going to look on our schedule and see if we can open it from Monday to Saturday,” said Sablan.
Built in 2003, the $25 million landfill is a federally funded facility that must comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules.
Its opening closed the Puerto Rico dumpsite at the Saipan Seaport which had become an eyesore and was cited for noncompliance with EPA rules.
At the Marpi landfill, trash is placed on a tipping scale and DPW charges trash collectors or residents based on the weight of the garbage.
Sablan said this money is used to maintain the landfill and keep up with the EPA’s sanitary standards.
“The landfill has a revolving fund. It generates revenues. It goes to the general fund,” he added.
The DPW secretary said there are certain requirements that should be followed in operating the landfill no matter how bad the CNMI’s economic situation is.
“Right now, the landfill is okay. But there are requirements that we have to follow. We have to cover it up every night to protect it from stray animals and prevent diseases. We have to make sure that trash is compacted properly so we will not shorten its lifespan,” he said.
“We have to comply with [CNMI Division of Environmental Quality] and EPA regulations. It’s a lot of work. There are other regulatory requirements that we have to comply with,” he added.
