Beetham dump to close

She said her ministry was inviting proposals for the establishment of the new waste disposal facility.

Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference, Beckles noted that this issue had been raised from time to time and the public had health concerns about having the landfill located at the current site.

She said the Beetham landfill was deemed to be poorly located and situated within a wetlands environment.

“We know that the Beetham landfill is the largest disposal site in the country, established 30 years ago, accepting some 720 tonnes of waste per day, and actually serve as a catchment from Chaguaramas in the west to Curepe in the east,” said Beckles.

She noted that there were also landfills at Guanapo, Forres Park, Toco, Blanchisseuse, Point Fortin, Cedros and Studley Park in Tobago.

“We are of the view that this is a very significant decision and I know that it is one of the decisions that would be welcomed by the entire country,” she said.