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Sci-Tech Green Expo's Best Overall Exhibit - Public Sector

ISWMP

The Solid Waste Project team, thrilled with their award (from left Project Manager, Solid Waste - Ricardo Marshall, Assistant Information Officer – Sharon Carter-Burke,Waste Management Coordinator –Thora Burnett and Technical Officer – Neil Gilkes The Solid Project Unit was awarded “Best Overall Exhibit – Public Sector” for its presentation at this year’s Sci-Tech Green Expo. Expressing her delight, Waste Management Co-ordinator, Thora Burnett said the Solid Waste Project Unit was pleased to have once again won the public sector award. The unit shared the honour with the Ministry of Health in their combined booth at the inaugural Green Expo two years ago. She noted, “Our themes always include a component whereby we demonstrate to everyone that they have a part to play in solid waste management and this year was no different as the Unit had as its focus “Waste as a resource – Making your waste work for you”. Visitors to the booth were able to see that waste generation has far outstripped 1993 projections of 300 tonnes by 2006, more than tripling to the current 1,000 tonnes. They were further informed that of this, 70 per cent could be diverted towards recycling based on the findings of a 2005 waste characterisation study. They were given information on the current recyclers and waste brokers to whom they could direct their recyclables. One other notable feature was the composting workshops held twice daily. During these sessions, the unit’s technical officers showed participants the benefits of composting, how they could build a composter and begin composting in the home. It was pointed out that some of the advantages of composting municipal solid waste and green waste are: • Reducing the volume of organic waste being landfilled • More environmentally friendly than incineration • Compost produced is useful for agricultural, horticultural and land reclamation purposes • Produces a recyclable which could be exported to generate additional revenue