San Pedro Town is facing a growing environmental and public health crisis as persistent garbage accumulation threatens the island’s image as a premier tourist destination. With mounting complaints from residents and visitors, local authorities are escalating enforcement efforts and issuing warnings that noncompliance will be met with fines and legal consequences.
Despite ongoing cleanup operations, illegal dumping remains widespread. Social media platforms have been flooded with images and posts from tourists expressing frustration over the visible waste in public spaces, at garbage transfer stations, and along the coastline. The unsightly conditions not only tarnish the visitor experience but also raise serious concerns about the town’s waste management infrastructure and its capacity to protect both human health and the environment.
In recent weeks, Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation Andre Perez and San Pedro Mayor Gualberto “Wally” Nuñez visited the island’s waste transfer point, where they observed firsthand the overwhelming volume of unprocessed waste. Reports indicate that waste removal has stalled for weeks at a time, compounding the problem and creating hazardous conditions for workers and the wider community.
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has since launched intensified efforts to address the issue, including enhanced waste collection, targeted cleanups, and the introduction of an updated ticketing system. The Council is now issuing fines for improper disposal and serving cleanup orders to individuals and businesses found in violation. These actions are being taken in collaboration with the Department of the Environment and Public Health to ensure that offenders are identified and held accountable.
A recent social media post from the SPTC highlighted the ongoing challenges. “Our crew keeps cleaning illegal dumps every week, and it seems people are still not aware that we are implementing fines and cleanup orders,” the statement read. “Let’s all be responsible and make every effort to ensure that your garbage makes it to the Solid Waste Transfer Station. We are working closely with the Department of the Environment and Public Health to investigate all reports and ensure compliance. Clean It or Tek Yuh Ticket.”
Residents are encouraged to support enforcement efforts by reporting illegal dumping. Authorities are requesting that individuals submit photos and specific locations of illegal garbage sites and, when possible, identify those responsible. “Help us find the owners so we can hold them accountable for their waste. We all want La Isla Bonita clean,” the Council urged.
The Town Council is also coordinating with environmental NGOs and participating in regional programs such as the Belize Fund’s Recycling Challenge and the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s anti-plastic campaign. Public education campaigns, especially in schools, aim to foster a culture of waste reduction, recycling, and environmental stewardship.
While systemic challenges persist, authorities emphasize that immediate and collective action is necessary to curb the escalating crisis. Preserving San Pedro’s environmental integrity is essential, not only for tourism, which forms the backbone of the local economy, but for the health and well-being of the community and its ecosystems.
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