During a Senate hearing Monday, key issues surrounding the territory’s waste management system were discussed, shedding light on illegal dumping, financial constraints, and the need for better infrastructure. While efforts are being made to modernize waste disposal with new convenience centers and recycling initiatives, there are significant hurdles to overcome, including staffing shortages, public education, and funding allocation.
Illegal dumping has been a major issue in the USVI, particularly at public bin sites. These sites have become overwhelmed with various forms of improperly disposed waste, from household trash to construction debris and hazardous materials such as used oil and tires. Daryl Griffith, interim executive director of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, noted that the authority collects approximately 1,500 gallons of illegally dumped oil monthly. This poses a serious environmental risk, as oil can seep into the ground, potentially contaminating water sources and damaging local ecosystems, he said.
Griffith emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to combat illegal dumping. Currently, surveillance relies on cameras installed at bin sites, but power outages frequently disrupt the system, requiring cameras to be manually reset. This gap in monitoring has allowed offenders to continue dumping waste without facing consequences. Despite the authority issuing fines, Griffith explained that the courts often reduce the penalties, resulting in minimal deterrence. “We write tickets for $500, and by the time the court’s done with it, the fine is down to 50 bucks. We need to fix that,” Griffith said during the session.
The authority currently generates about $50,000 annually from fines for illegal dumping, but Griffith believes this figure could reach half a million dollars if enforcement were improved and ticketing processes streamlined. Bringing the review and collection of fines in-house was suggested as one solution to ensure that penalties are properly enforced.
In response to the ongoing issues with bin sites, the VIWMA has been working on the development of convenience centers that will provide more organized and regulated waste disposal. These centers will include designated areas for recyclables, hazardous waste, and general household refuse. Staffed by trained personnel, the centers aim to prevent illegal dumping and improve the efficiency of waste collection across the territory. However, the senators were frustrated by the delays in construction, especially given the funding already secured for the project.
Griffith reported that the VIWMA had obtained over $8 million in federal grants, but construction had been stalled due to higher-than-expected bids and logistical setbacks. Sen. Marvin Blyden voiced his concern over the slow progress, stating, “We’ve been hearing about these convenience centers for years now, and we’re still waiting. How long will it take before the people of the Virgin Islands see real progress?”
Griffith admitted that the process had been slower than anticipated but assured the committee that the centers would be completed, starting with the first ones on St. Croix. However, this did little to satisfy the senators, who pointed out that the current state of bin sites in the territory could not wait for long-term fixes. “We can’t sit around waiting for the convenience centers to solve all our problems when our bin sites are overflowing and people are dumping illegally every day,” Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory added.
One of the most significant challenges facing the VIWMA is the ongoing financial strain and the lack of access to funds collected from a recently implemented tire disposal tariff. The tariff, which was designed to help offset the costs of tire disposal, has generated $2 million, but none of this money has been allocated to the VIWMA. “We’ve been cleaning up tires without seeing a dollar of that money,” Griffith explained, urging greater transparency in how these funds are distributed.
The lack of adequate staffing within the VIWMA was another concern raised by senators during the meeting. With only four enforcement officers on St. Thomas and six on St. Croix, the authority struggles to monitor the 16 bin sites on St. Thomas, leaving many sites unmonitored for extended periods.
Blyden questioned why the authority had not found a way to increase its enforcement capacity, given the ongoing problems with bin sites. “We’ve been hearing the same excuses for years. You need more staff, we get it—but where is the plan to make that happen?” Blyden asked, pointing to the persistent gaps in service.
Griffith reiterated that the authority’s financial situation made it difficult to hire more staff, but this explanation did not satisfy the committee. Frett-Gregory pressed further, stating, “We need more than just ‘we’re working on it.’ The people of the Virgin Islands deserve to see results, and they deserve to see them soon.'”
Griffith emphasized the need for more enforcement officers but noted that the authority’s financial situation makes it difficult to hire additional staff. “We’re still running a $2 million deficit. We’ve reduced it from $15 million, but we need to break even before we can think about expanding,” Griffith explained.
In some areas of the USVI, particularly on St. Croix, house-to-house waste collection is available, reducing the reliance on public bin sites. However, on St. Thomas, the terrain and infrastructure make house-to-house collection less feasible in certain areas. As a result, many residents continue to rely on bin sites for waste disposal, contributing to overcrowding and improper waste management.
Griffith mentioned that expanding house-to-house collection is a priority, but it will require significant investment in infrastructure and additional staffing. The authority’s financial challenges currently constrain both. Blyden raised the question of whether house-to-house collection could be expanded in areas where the terrain is less difficult, to which Griffith responded that cost remains the primary barrier.
A critical component of improving waste management is public education. Many residents and businesses are either unaware of proper disposal practices or choose to ignore the regulations in place, Griffith said. Contractors, in particular, have been cited for dumping construction materials and other debris at public bin sites. While the VIWMA has made efforts to educate the public through public service announcements, these efforts have not reached all communities effectively.
Griffith acknowledged the need for more robust public education campaigns to inform residents about the environmental and health impacts of improper waste disposal. “We need to hammer home the message that bin sites aren’t the solution to all your waste problems.”
Addressing the waste management crisis in the Virgin Islands requires a comprehensive approach that involves better enforcement, increased funding, improved infrastructure, and a stronger focus on public education. The development of convenience centers and the potential expansion of house-to-house collection are positive steps, but they must be supported by adequate staffing and enforcement mechanisms to ensure their success, senators said.
As the session concluded, Frett-Gregory summed up the mood of the room, “We’ve heard the same promises before. Now it’s time for action. The people of the Virgin Islands deserve a waste management system that works—and they deserve it now.”
Sens. Donna Frett-Gregory, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Samuel Carrion, Marvin Blyden, Ray Fonseca, Diane T. Capehart, and Carla J. Joseph attended Monday’s meeting.
