LWMA hosts final clean-up ahead of festive season   |16 December 2023

Mr Emilie (second from right) leading the press conference

As we approach the festive season, the Land and Waste Management Agency (LWMA) is reminding the public it is their responsibility to make good use of the communal bin sites within the designated specific locations in order to maintain a safe community and Seychelles’ beautification.

LWMA’s chief executive, Shane Emilie, made the statement during a press conference to highlight guidelines for a better waste management in the country, especially during the festive season where a lot of waste is generated from households and business activities.

He said the public have to make sure that all wastes are placed in tightened bin bags and disposed of appropriately.

Mr Emilie also urged the public to avoid leaving wastes by bin sites as they attract rodents such as rats, stray dogs as well as mosquitoes, which create health hazards.

He also reminded the public that bulky waste such as furniture, washing machines, refrigerators and freezers among other heavy household appliances, including heavy green waste, should be sent directly to the landfill.

“I would like to encourage the public to collect and dispose of the bulky waste at the landfill, and if they cannot do that, then place the waste by the bin site, but in an appropriate manner,” said Mr Emilie.

He explained that proper disposal of bulky waste is important for several reasons such as it reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, prevents litter in communities, and reduces the risk of injury or accidents caused by discarded items.

Mr Emilie added bulky waste also takes up a significant amount of space in landfills, leading to the need for additional space.

For her part, LWMA consultant, Camille Mondon, said many bulky appliances, such as electronic items, contain hazardous materials that can leach into the environment and cause pollution.  

She added many bulky items could be recycled, thus help to conserve resources and reduce the demand for new products to be manufactured.

Ms Mondon has called on people to take advantage of the last quarterly ‘Clean up Seychelles’ for the festive season to take place this weekend, to remove their waste, sort and transport them to the landfill, where they will be assisted by LWMA staff on site.

“Some bulky items, such as furniture and appliances, may still be in good condition and could be donated to a charitable organisation or sold to someone else. Donating or selling these items helps extend their lifespan and reduce the need for new products to be manufactured,” she said.

In Seychelles, bulky waste is collected weekly by waste collection contractors while general household wastes are collected on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, LWMA is also appealing to all citizens to refrain from practicing illegal dumping and stealing their bins, as they would be penalised.

Text & photo by Patrick Joubert