Every evening in Paynesville, thin plumes of smoke rise from burning piles of garbage, becoming a normal part of life for many residents.
However, behind this haze lies a growing danger—black carbon, a pollutant that threatens both health and the environment.
With over 144,000 households in Paynesville, many have yet to subscribe to community-based enterprises certified by the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) for safe waste collection. This lack of participation has resulted in overwhelming piles of garbage in the communities, forcing many residents to resort to burning and burying their waste.
This week, the PCC, in collaboration with GREENLIFE West Africa, continued its community awareness campaign in the Rehab Community. The goal was to educate residents about the dangers of black carbon emission from open waste burning and the importance of proper waste disposal.
The team moved through the community, providing education to residents through PCC sanitation experts. They explained that black carbon, produced when waste is burned, contributes to respiratory illnesses, pollutes the air, and accelerates climate change. “When you burn plastic, rubber, and other household waste, the smoke you see is not just smoke—it is poisonous greenhouse gas,” said Romeo Coker, PCC Director of Commercial Solid Waste, while addressing local vendors.
Doxx M. Joe, Deputy Director of Sanitation at PCC, described the situation situation in Paynesville as challenging. He noted that many of the communities are situated in slum areas, and residents often complain about garbage collection fees. He indicated that many residents are unwilling to pay for these services, making it difficult for the corporation to meet its waste collection goals.
He emphasized that sanitation is not only about keeping the streets clean but also about protecting public health. “The smoke from this garbage can easily harm someone with sinus issues. Even a person suffering from a heart condition could go to bed and never wake up, leaving people shocked at what caused their death,” he added.
High Fees for Waste Collection
Residents expressed concern that, whle they understood the dangers of open waste burning, the high fees charged by Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs) make it difficult for them to subscribe to waste collection services.
“We want to keep our homes clean, but the fees are too high,” said one woman, who preferred to be called Mother Paye. She added, “Sometimes we have to choose between buying food and paying for garbage collection. That’s why many of us burn our waste.”
Another resident, a vendor, echoed her sentiment: “We are not against proper waste disposal. We know burning is bad. But if the city wants us to stop, they must make it affordable. Right now, only a few people can pay.”
These concerns resonated with PCC officials. Romeo Coker assured the community that their voices would be heard. “We have listened to the community, and we will engage the CBEs to see how the fees can be lowered so that more residents can afford proper waste collection,” he said.
The rate of burning and burying waste in Rehab and across Paynesville is alarming. Almost every block has at least one smoldering pile, and in many yards, residents dig shallow pits to bury their trash. These practices, while convenient, release harmful pollutants into the air and contaminate the soil, creating long-term environmental hazards.
Currently, some Paynesville households pay around LRD$1,500 or USD$8.30 monthly, while some business owners with larger waste outputs pay around US$20.00 monthly.
The PCC has vowed to continue implementing its city ordinances to ensure that the city of Paynesville remains clean and green for the wellbeing of everyone.
