Belize has a $4 million garbage problem. That is how much the City Council owes Belize Maintenance Limited and Belize Waste Control. Now, the new councillor in charge of sanitation Phillip Willoughby says he knows how to fix it. Willoughby is suggesting that residents of the city pay a garbage fee. In January a new law was passed that will force businesses to pay a collection fee along with their trade licenses, but Willoughby is proposing that a much smaller fee be introduced for residential properties. It comes on the heels of a successful cleanup in the Bocotora Street area spearheaded by businessman Mervin Skeen along with the cooperation of Councillor Willoughby and the community. He says his idea for what’s essentially a garbage tax is a mere suggestion but it just might work.
Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor in Charge of Sanitation
“What I will be proposing, we are in discussions on this with revenue and finance department, there must be a fee that ultimately medium term to deal with this garbage situation. But again it will be as I mentioned through the various media houses, consultation, dialogue, and education.”
Keith Swift,
When you say a fee, are you proposing a tax for their garbage to be picked up?
Phillip Willoughby,
“I didn’t say they would have to pay a fee. We are considering that the service right now as is, people are complaining about the garbage. Who are the persons generating garbage? It is the residential and to some extent the commercial. We have dealt with the commercial and now we have to deal with the residential and if a household accommodates shopping groceries and buying stuff that is not non-biodegradable that has to be collected by the sanitation companies then we understand I am contributing whatever my household deems as waste that has to be collected. And ask the question who is laden with the burden to pay for the collection of these garbage.
We have to move forward collectively as Belize City resolving this garbage situation and I maybe persons will accept it, maybe the latter will happen, but I believe the process will be forthcoming that we need to discuss this and we need to have to understand or contend that we are the persons generating the garbage, I myself and you and all of us. This is a partnership thing Keith and I am saying that if we want to move forward and we want the service, then I see no fault of persons quarrelling about contributing to the cost of collection of garbage.”
Keith Swift,
Hypothetically, again it is only a proposal and it has to be discussed and there has to be consultation. What would number would you estimate residents would be expected to pay?
Phillip Willoughby,
“If I were to say, throwing out a ballpark figure, and by no means I am saying this is it, let’s say $10 a month. Would that be fair to your mind? I am asking you – would that be fair to you Keith? If I were to say let’s consider $10. Would that be fair to your mind?"
Keith Swift,
It would be for the residents to decide.
Phillip Willoughby,
“I agree with you but you are a resident here I presume.”
Willoughby plans to spearhead similar cleanup campaigns in other areas of the city.
