GARMENT manufacturing companies can again dump their waste and scrap materials at Puerto Rico.
The Solid Waste Task Force says it has lifted the ban on garment waste due to a lack of a “very practical alternative.”
Chaired by Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, the task force said the ban took effect on April 30, but was extended to May 15 as several garment companies did not have “extra space” in their premises where they could temporarily dump their waste.
Benavente said they will again allow garment waste to be dumped at Puerto Rico until a “temporary site” is identified.
Cowtown in Marpi, near where the new landfill is being constructed could be this site.
Benavente said they have asked the Marianas Public Lands Authority to allow the use of approximately 20,000 square meters of public lands.
Benavente said they are still looking into the possibility of pursuing off-island recycling. He said they are “actively working” and negotiating with several companies to reduce the cost of shipping out the waste.
At least 30 tons of garment waste are dumped daily at Puerto Rico.
In a separate interview, Deputy MPLA Commissioner Henry S. Hofschneider confirmed that they would allow the use of 2.5 hectares of public lands in Marpi.
Hofschneider said the board has granted the use of the land because the area is “topographically convenient.”
He said the board has assigned Frank Eliptico, chief of the real estate division, to identify the exact location and prepare the required permit.
Eliptico said his division was already “preparing” the permit which would expire in December when the new Marpi landfill is opened.
He said that before the permit is issued, they would still need the approval of all the MPLA board members.
