Plastic Recycling Project Launched for Rae Town Community

The project which is to be implemented by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is one component of the larger Jamaica Plastic Waste Minimization Project, funded by the Japanese Government through the United Nations Environment Programme Caribbean Sub-Regional Office in partnership with the National Environment and Planning Agency.

Vincent Sweeney, Head of the UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office in his remarks, expressed his pleasure to see "this tangible, on-the-ground part of the project being launched." Mr Sweeney further stated that the project would "collectively demonstrate the benefit of new, community-led approaches to address waste management in Jamaica."

Ms Nataki Thompson, President of the Rae Town Community Development Committee (CDC) in her response said that it was a welcome initiative that the community was happy to be apart of, adding that the project was well suited to the objectives of the CDC and the development of the unique culture of the community as food provider and cultural hot-spot.

The activities of the project will see the NSWMA increasing garbage collection as well as the involvement of community members in several initiatives including clean-ups and the separation of waste at source. Other residents will be engaged as environmental wardens.