Submitted by Dr. Roland Clarke, Concerned Resident of St. Thomas, Energy Consultant

On the 04 May 2024, the Hon. Cynthia Forde, Parliamentary Representative for St. Thomas asserted this is now the fourth (4th) fire at B’s Recycling. This site is an industrial dump located in the Cane Garden area of St. Thomas.

I am aware that fires at industrial dump sites are known to be particularly notorious to be extinguished. Sometimes, they simply burn unabated until the underlying fuel is exhausted. This poses ongoing health risks to those living in the affected areas.

Given the nature of the dump site, and it’s location smack in the middle of a residential area which pre-dated the dump site, one is left to wonder about the potency and respect for the Town and Country Planning Regulations of Barbados.

Yes, there is a need for such an industrial dump site on Barbados.  However siting must be balanced against the obvious overriding matters of health, safety, environmental impact and location.

MP Forde also revealed that there is a pending decision before Cabinet for the relocation of B’s Recycling dump site away from its current location at Cane Garden, St. Thomas.

Questions: 

1. How long has this matter been before Cabinet? 

2. When is the final decision going to be made by Cabinet? 

3. Who will pay for the relocation of the dump site? 

4. Who will pay for the negative health impacts on local area residents?

5. Who will pay for the clean up of any deleterious environmental impacts?

I add my voice to that of MP Forde as reported on Starcom Network below – 

Fire at B’s Recycling/Renewed calls for its relocation