Dominica Solid Waste warns that setting fire to its waste bins is illegal

Photo: Bin in St. Joseph 

The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation has cautioned members of the public that under the laws governing public health, 
environmental protection, and public property damage, that setting fire to municipal waste collection receptacles is a punishable offence. 

The warning comes after the bin in St. Joseph was recently set on fire. In a post to Solid Waste’s official Facebook page, the corporation said setting fire to Solid Waste’s waste bins is illegal property destruction, and perpetrators are subject to criminal prosecution, fines, and potential imprisonment. 

Solid Waste added that open burning of municipal solid waste releases toxic pollutants into the atmosphere and violates public health standards. 

The corporation said the bin in St. Joseph was neither full nor overdue for collection, and that unlawful combustion of waste will not be tolerated. It also said destroying collection infrastructure directly impedes the corporation’s operations, leaving the St. Joseph community without functional waste disposal services. 

Solid Waste urged residents to report any unauthorised burning or tampering with its infrastructure to law enforcement immediately.