More timely garbage collection is expected next year when the Department of Environmental Health brings on stream 10 new Dump trucks with a combined $2 million price tag.

According to the department’s acting director, Winston Sweeting, the trucks’ arrival will enhance the garbage collection system in New Providence.

It comes in the wake of the government’s decision to put a hold on a plan that called for outside companies to assist the department with garbage collection.

Once the new Dump trucks arrive the entire garbage collection systems is expected to be revamped, according to Mr. Sweeting.

The 10 to 12 trucks that are currently being utilized reportedly cost the department $250,000 each.

Mr. Sweeting advised members of the public not to place items such as car tyres or batteries in the garbage as they tend to damage the trucks, causing the department to fall behind in its work.

“We want to be able to tell the public what days they can expect their garbage to be collected. We ask the public to bear with us and if the garbage is not collected they can call the solid waste division. We will do our best to collect the garbage,” he said.

Mr. Sweeting said the department is a week behind in certain areas.

“The inner city is well taken care of. It was just the outer sections of the island affected. Sections of Yamacraw and Pinewood Gardens are the areas we are behind on. We are working with the trucks we have. They are currently breaking down [and] we are coping with what we have,” he said.

Mr. Sweeting said he is aware of the increase in demand for the department’s services during the Christmas season.

The department’s workers are prepared to work over time so that there wouldn’t be an overflow of garbage, he indicated.

Mr. Sweeting said old Christmas trees ought to be taken to the dumping facilities.

He advised members of the public to discard the trees themselves because that is not the responsibility of the department.

The acting director noted that another garbage collection problem stems from persons not having the correct garbage collection bins to enable the department to carry out its duties a lot more quickly.

“The householder has a responsibility to provide suitable receptacles that are properly covered,” he said.

Mr. Sweeting asked members of the public to stop using oil bins because they are hazardous to sanitation workers.

“We had incidents where sanitation workers were cut…when it rains water settles to the bottom of the bins and it is very hard for the sanitation personnel to move the bins,” he explained.

“The garbage collection trucks only collect household waste, which comes from the preparation of food. Residents need to make the necessary arrangements for us to assist them with removing larger items.”

He said persons should not dump garbage on anyone’s property, in the bush or at the sports centre.