News

The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC) is set to receive two new rear-loading garbage compactor trucks, procured by the Government of Dominica, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the island’s waste management capacity.

While delivery of the new units has taken some time, Mr. Mitchell noted that this delay is due to the customization process involved in ordering brand-new trucks.

In the meantime, the Corporation has also submitted a request for two interim-use trucks to help close existing gaps in service delivery. Mr. Mitchell noted that the arrival of the new units would vastly improve operational efficiency. “One truck is slated for use in the Roseau city centre and southern zones, while the larger unit will be designated for the eastern and north-eastern parts of the island.”

These intreim trucks are expected to arrive here on the eighteenth of July.

Due to ongoing challenges in maintaining a full fleet, DSWMC is often forced to engage private haulers—a situation that adds further financial strain to an already costly operation. The Corporation’s main source of funding is a government subvention.

To ensure greater sustainability, Mr. Mitchell revealed that DSWMC is exploring the implementation of a garbage collection fee, potentially attached to consumers' utility bills. “While we haven’t had formal discussions with utility providers, we believe this model is ideal. It has proven successful in Barbados, Grenada, and St. Vincent,” he noted.

Mr. Mitchell emphasized that as the producers of waste, the public must also take some responsibility in supporting waste management efforts. “It’s costing us a lot of money to run the Corporation, especially when we do not have the prerequisite fleet,” he said.

He also explained that Dominica is divided into seven waste collection zones and the long-term goal is to assign at least one dedicated vehicle to each zone to ensure more reliable and efficient service delivery.