New household rubbish collection starts [1]
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 05:39. Updated on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 - 18:55.
The Waste Authority Ltd have commenced the official household waste collection yesterday, May 22 in the areas of Kolomotu'a, Sopu and 'Isileli. These areas have participated in a trial of the service, but from today have their permanent weekly household service in place.
Garbage Removal Services of Kolomotu'a were successful in their tender to operate both urban waste collection runs, with Jenkin Renovations winning the contract for the rural areas.
The household waste collection is a completely new service for every household in Tongatapu. All houses will pay a compulsory fee of $10 per month to cover the costs of waste collection and disposal at the new environmentally friendly site at Tapuhia. The new CEO of the Waste Authority, Mrs Luseane 'Aho said "Today marks a very important day for us at the Waste Authority. We look forward to starting this service throughout Tongatapu, providing all of us with the chance to improve the way we manage our waste. To have our waste collected each week will help us have a cleaner and healthier environment not only today, but in the future ... leaving Tonga as a better place for our children."
Local Womens' Committees in each area will be delivering household information kits about the service. These women will also be the fee collectors, and will be reimbursed a commission for their work in collecting the money for the Waste Authority. This retains money in the local community, and ensures that communities can work together for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Over the next three months, the collection service will commence in different villages. Please contact your Town Officer, or phone the Tonga Solid Waste Management Project on 23 666 to find out your collection start date. SWMPT, 22/05/07.