GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios is urging the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, the Department of Public Works and the Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse to identify and allocate local and federal resources to implement Phase II of the CNMI’s Recycling Redemption Project.
In a memorandum to the three agencies, the governor said the project has been “a vital initiative aimed at improving the islands’ waste management system by focusing on the collection and recycling of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles.”
He said it “aligns with the government’s broader goal of incorporating environmental protections while also contributing to the beautification of the CNMI, which is a critical component for sustaining and elevating the Commonwealth’s tourism industry.”
Palacios said by reducing litter and promoting proper waste disposal, “we safeguard a cleaner and more attractive environment for residents and visitors alike, reinforcing the CNMI’s reputation as a premier travel destination.”
He said the redemption program will also “encourage economic activity in which residents will be able to partake [in] redeeming recyclable materials [for cash rewards], such as 5 cents for aluminum cans, and 1 cent for plastic bottles and glass bottles.”
Palacios wants BECQ, DPW and OGM-SC to work together to identify and allocate necessary resources, whether through local funding, federal grants or other available means, to effectively support this initiative.
He also told them to “ensure that all procurement activities comply with the CNMI’s policies and regulations to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the process.”
“Your agencies play an essential role in ensuring that this program is successfully relaunched and sustained,” he added. “I trust in your leadership to facilitate inter-agency collaboration and resource mobilization that will enable us to achieve the objectives of the Recycling Redemption Project.”
Palacios said he has instructed all agencies to provide his office a plan of action and associated progress updates on the efforts to support the initiative.
