THE government’s solid waste task force will ban the dumping of garment waste and “green waste” at Puerto Rico beginning April 30.
Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, the task force chairman, told the Variety yesterday that the decision to “divert” garment waste and scrap materials will prolong the life span of the Puerto Rico dumpsite.
The task force met with members of the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association earlier this month to discuss the diversion of garment waste.
The Puerto Rico dumpsite will reach its maximum capacity by September. Garment waste products account for 30 percent of the daily waste.
“If we do not start to divert the trash, the dump will reach its maximum capacity before the Marpi landfill will even be completed,” Benavente said.
He said because the task force’s decision might cause some “inconvenience” to the garment manufacturers, the government had prepared plans to deal with the diverted waste.
He said the garment manufacturers have to temporarily store their waste until the new landfill opens.
If the garment manufacturers lack facility for storage, the government will identify areas where they could store their waste, Benavente said.
“We are not definitely leaving them out. We will be cooperating with them,” Benavente said.
