The Solid Waste Management Corporation is mandated to prepare and present an annual report to the Minister which shall contain the activities of the Corporation and Corporation’s audited accounts to ensure transparency and accountability. The Minister shall lay a copy of the report before the National Assembly and publish it in the Official Gazette. making it accessible to the public.
Solid Waste Management Act (Chapter 11.05 of 2017)
The Act establishes a comprehensive framework for the effective management of solid waste in conformity with the best environmental practices. The Solid Waste Management Corporation, as the designated authority, is the body responsible for overseeing the management of the solid waste collection and disposal systems in the Islands.
Annual report and active transparency (article 13)
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Waste inventory (article 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3)
The Corporation shall undertake and complete an inventory and characterization of solid waste generated in the Islands, identifying and estimating: the total volume and tonnage of waste generated, the proportions of waste according to specific classifications of waste, the proportion of total waste generated by sector, and the available equipment. The inventory shall be reviewed at least every five years.
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Public participation in plans, programmes and policies (article 15.5, 17.1, 17.2. 17.3, 19 and 20)
The Corporation shall prepare a National Waste Management Strategy ensuring the broadest consultation in its preparation, including Scheduled agencies and waste management policy stakeholders.
The Minister shall submit the Draft National Waste Management Strategy for public review and comment by publishing notices in the Gazette, at least one newspaper, and broadcasting on at least one radio station. The public shall be advised on the location of the copies of the Draft for review, the address for submitting comments, and the deadline for feedback submission. The period for receipt of comments shall not be shorter than 30 days and not more than 45 days.
If any component or part of the approved Strategy is intended to be varied, the Corporation shall publish a notice of this intention and initiate a consultative process with Scheduled agencies and waste policy stakeholders. However, in case of review of the Strategy, the Corporation is mandated to undertake a broad-based consultation, engaging Scheduled Agencies and waste management policy stakeholders.
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Awareness-raising activities (article 16.2.f)
The Strategy shall outline measures for training of staff involved in solid waste management, public relations and public education and awareness regarding solid waste management.
Environmental Impact Assessment (article 21)
The Corporation shall designate a list of activities for which an express grant of permission from the planning authority and an environmental impact assessment is required. The purpose of this is determining the environmental impact which might arise out of any new or significantly modified construction, process, works or other activity in respect of a solid waste management facility
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Right to appeal (article 44.1 and 44.2)
A person aggrieved by a decision made by any functionary under this Act or any regulations made thereunder may appeal against that decision, by way of complaint, to the magistrate who has jurisdiction in the district in which the aggrieved person resides. The time to bring an appeal shall be twenty-one days from the date on which notice of the decision was given to the person desiring to appeal.
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