SPM targets bulky waste in St. Elizabeth flood-risk communities

SPM Waste Management Ltd. is preparing to remove bulky waste from several St. Elizabeth communities where flooding is a recurring threat, as the entity moves to reduce risks and improve readiness for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Sheldon Smith, Regional Manager at SPM Waste Management Ltd., said focused clean-up work will start in at-risk locations. Among them is New River in Santa Cruz, where flooding lingered after Hurricane Melissa and showed why waste must be cleared before major weather systems arrive.

Mr. Smith gave the update to JIS News after a recent road march and environmental awareness drive organised by SPM in Nain and Junction, St. Elizabeth. The activity ended at BB Coke High School and formed part of National Solid Waste Management Week.

He said the clean-up push belongs to a broader programme designed to lower flooding danger in vulnerable districts while getting residents to handle garbage and discarded items properly.

SPM will also collect bulky waste in other areas considered exposed to flooding, including sections of Treasure Beach and nearby communities that have faced water build-up during heavy rain over the years.

Mr. Smith said the agency has also stepped up preparations so it can respond better if severe weather affects the parish during the hurricane season. He noted that more equipment and resources have been secured for emergency response and recovery work.

“Our Executive Director [of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Audley Gordon], has put in place quite a few measures. We have got more chainsaws in preparation for road clearing if there’s a hurricane. We have purchased water trucks,” Mr. Smith informed.

He added that SPM offices now have emergency water storage, standby generators and upgraded communication systems, allowing operations to continue during and after bad weather.

“We have made sure all the offices are with at least three to four thousand gallons of water to be ready. All our offices are retrofitted now with proper generators that can run the offices properly. And all our offices are retrofitted also with [systems] for communication,” he said.

Mr. Smith said solid waste management is a major part of disaster preparation, because bulky items dumped carelessly can choke drains and waterways and make flooding worse. He said residents’ support will be important if the flood-reduction programme is to work.