By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
TRASH collection company Art Man Trash is raising concerns about illegal trash dumping at Smiling Cove Marina.
“We would like to bring to your attention an ongoing concern regarding illegal trash dumping at the Smiling Cove Marina,” the company said. “Recently, a significant amount of waste has been improperly disposed of, which is creating environmental and sanitation issues for the community.”
“We believe this matter deserves public awareness as it affects the cleanliness, health, and safety of the surrounding area,” it added.
According to an employee who requested anonymity, the blue locked trash bin is a paid service for the Managaha concessionaire only and is not for public use.
But the employee said staffers from certain tour boats have been illegally dumping garbage on top of the paid trash bin after bringing customers from hopping tours, despite knowing it is not for public use.
“Initially, we collected and cleaned the trash they threw on top of the bin, but it has gotten worse. The trash gets blown by strong winds and ends up in the ocean,” the employee said.
The company also said it has alerted the Division of Parks and Recreation regarding the matter.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
