The vast amount of trash resulting from Hurricane Irma’s devastation is mind-boggling. While several temporary heaps at various locations were closed and are now being cleared, the hills of rubbish at the new dumpsite behind the Little League Stadium on Soualiga Boulevard have become huge.
The good part is that certain materials present in large quantities such as zinc and lumber will be processed and/or shipped out. Nevertheless, the already-pressing garbage problem on the Dutch side is more acute than ever, as the sanitary landfill has by far surpassed its lifespan.
Separation and recycling are long overdue and must be implemented, but at this stage that alone simply won’t be enough. What’s buried there and still being added needs to be tackled, possibly through gasification, for which a letter of intent has been signed.
However, a waste-to-energy plant has been under discussion for decades, so far without any tangible result. Perhaps this is one thing to be considered for the reconstruction aid expected from the Netherlands and others.
Taking into account extensive material damage suffered by utility company GEBE, which is to take the electricity produced by such a facility, help with investments and expertise to make it feasible would seem in order. The Dutch Government considers environmental issues very important and there’s no doubt that the current situation is a serious threat to both nature and public health, also due to the frequent dump fires.
In addition, cleaning up the landfill at least somewhat should be good for the tourism economy, because the growing and at times burning “trash mountain” near Philipsburg and the cruise terminal is by no means a welcoming sight to visitors.
