These boys volunteered to spruce up their street.
SANTO DOMINGO. - A recent report by the United Nations Program for Development (PNUD) found insufficient room for the Dominican population’s waste and refuse,and says it needs twice the space currently available.
The Dominican population needs 1.8 hectares per person, but the capacity guarantees only 0.8 hectares per inhabitant, the PNUD said.
The report on the ecological deficit of the two-thirds of the Caribbean island reveals that the population’s increasingly high consumption level isn’t met with enough space to deposit the millions of tons of ensuing waste.
The report is based on the indicator "Global Ecolgical Footprint Network," developed by the "Global Ecological Tracking Network," jointly with the European Ecological Network Agency, which gauges impact of a population’s consumption on the territory on which it lives, and the biosphere’s capacity to replenish.
The PNUD report concludes that the situation raises serious questions as to how government can instill responsibility and commitment on the population and industry over consumption habits.
Source: diariolibre.com.do
From: Canada
The report is based on the indicator "Global Ecolgical Footprint Network," developed by the "Global Ecological Tracking Network," jointly with the European Ecological Network Agency, which gauges impact of a population’s consumption on the territory on which it lives, and the biosphere’s capacity to replenish.
The PNUD report concludes that the situation raises serious questions as to how government can instill responsibility and commitment on the population and industry over consumption habits. ...IF THE PRICE OF FUEL KEEPS RISING THESE BIG MOUTH ECOLOGY GROUPS ARE GONNA BE THE FIRST ONES TO GET THROWN OVER THE SIDE >>>>THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THESE INCREASES IN PRICE
From: Canada
by John Coleman
You may want to give credit where credit is due to Al Gore and his global warming campaign the next time you fill your car with gasoline, because there is a direct connection between Global Warming and four dollar a gallon gas. It is shocking, but true, to learn that the entire Global Warming frenzy is based on the environmentalist’s attack on fossil fuels, particularly gasoline. All this big time science, international meetings, thick research papers, dire threats for the future; all of it, comes down to their claim that the carbon dioxide in the exhaust from your car and in the smoke stacks from our power plants is destroying the climate of planet Earth. What an amazing fraud; what a scam.
The future of our civilization lies in the balance. ................John Coleman is founder of weather channel
Written by: rom1804 
, 18 Jun 2008 12:13 PM
From: Zimbabwe
Why don't they just dump all their trash in Haiti. Its already a trashy country and they are living in it so I don't think that they would mind.
Written by: DaniDr, 18 Jun 2008 12:16 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
rom1804, what you are saying is not that insane. To my understanding, many countries/cities take the garbage at a cost so that they are the ones who deal with it. Now, that requieres a processing/recycling infrastrucutre that Haiti doesn't have.
Written by: rom1804 , 18 Jun 2008 12:38 PM
From: Zimbabwe
I know danny I know for most people I'm insane and delusional but for a few I'm a genius. but I consider myself more than that.... Since can I can not express myself fully on this site I will not even bother posting more I'm being monitored...So much for Freedom of Speech. Oh wait I'm not in the USA Im in DR when I log on to this site.
From: Dominican Republic
Why not make a conscious effort to educating the people of this country...of ALL financial brackets....about recycling and the effects of throwing bags and styrofoam from thier Lexus SUVs.
It is obvious, based on my "great circle" trip around the country over the past couple of days, that the rich are as guilty as the poor when it comes to litter.
This society is based on...out of site...out of mind. Or so it seems. They have no idea what a beautiful country they have. No other island can say it is as diversified as this one...but many...including Cuba...can say that they are much more aware of the impact of a "toss it out the window" mentality.
Ban styrofoam containers.....that would be a great start!
Written by: DaniDr, 18 Jun 2008 1:49 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
PuntaCanaMike, even with corruption and all, there are a quite a lot more poor people than rich people. It's a Dominican thing, they'll throw litter everywhere without even bothering. But their house will be very clean, at least to the line where their property ends. I came to the conclusion that most people here in the DR don't see nothing negative in having the streets full of litter.
From: United States
The issue of trash as a disposal problem views the opportunity of MSW processing from the wrong perspective. Once all of the conveniently recyclable materials have been extracted from municipal waste what remains can be used in value added processes which eliminate the need for a landfill.
Power production through clean burning technology to provide needed electrical power and clean water is the most significant opportunity available. However, other processes can be considered which add value to the waste and provide revenue and employment opportunities.
Growing Opportunities
Growing USA@AOL.com
From: United States
Since b/4 the 70's US power plants have taken trash (net of recycled items) mixed with crushed coal which burns more efficiently producing electricity. This lowers energy costs (a BIG RD problem). Also, if the RD Gov were not so corrupt then they could build (1) nuclear power plant and a state-of-the-art coal burning plant would BOTH greatly minimized the energy problems while making the RD more energy independent & globally competitive.
Also, there needs to be a NATIONAL train system connecting Northern air & sea ports (POP, Samana) with Southern ports (SDQ, LRM and western PUJ airports) with strategic stops in STI and La Vega to move both people & products to/from markets and even exports to ports faster. Old trucks & buses can be eliminated breaking monopolies as well as cars on the highway minimized as the demands for imported oil & gasoline lessens.
It may be hard to trust the RD Gov with nuclear technology given the corruption levels.
juan_de_eeuu@hotmail.com
From: United States
While litter is a subset of the municipal trash issue it is also manageable. Work we are doing in Africa and SE Asia illustrates the value of simple trash as an economic opportunity. We have been able to demonstrate that it is not only esthetically irresponsible to improperly process waste, but also economically irresponsible.
In fact, in our sister project in SE Asia we are buying the trash rather than charging the households to have it picked up.
Growing Opportunities
GrowingUSA@aol.com
Written by: BASTA, 18 Jun 2008 8:52 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Dominican processing/recycling in the street!
Written by: White, 19 Jun 2008 12:48 AM
From: United States
I see why Dominicans always talking trash.
From: Dominican Republic
I feel faint...am drifting...a dream like image shimmers above my head....it is an Indian, a Taino to be precise, looking into the distance over the vegas and beachs of the Island littered with trash, the image closes on his face where a single tear begins to fa....hey, wait a minute, that's no F$#%-ing Taino; that's a fat tourist with a 20 year old prostitute on his arm.
From: United States
this issue of biosphere is a subject i addressed earlier to explain the serious degree of european and north american movement to this country. the lifestyle of the aforementioned groups requires roughly 4.8 hectares per person. the available biosphere per person is roughly 2.6 hectares in those regions. therefore, the search is on for the acquisition of land in countries with lifestyles requiring less area of biosphere. also, to JD Dominguez, i would suggest that you put these aspirations of nuclear power on hold until we master conventional electricity delivery first. in this country, electricity is still a mystery for the ages. would you like to live within one thousand miles of a nuclear plant here? what do you think would happen if there was a chernobyl-style meltdown? do you think we are sufficiently equipped technologically to handle such an eventuality?
From: United States
and Gringo, be careful when you refer to ¨fat tourist¨with prostitute. you will probably be accused of being against fat people .
From: Dominican Republic
The old saw of "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" is applicable when it comes to educating Dominicans regarding their individual responsibilities over "littering".
The problem lies in the learned daily habit patterns of a lifetime, and what they see other people do.
The people just say, "If Juan throws his trash out the window or onto the street, why should I not do the same thing?". It is this attitude toward public responsibility that is the root of the "trash" problems we all face in any community.
Municipal governments could do a lot to alleviate this with street signs and heavy littering fines which would constantly remind the people to not throw their trash into/onto anyplace except the furnished garbage/trash receptacles scattered throughout the area.
Think about solutions and encourage municipal authorities to act accordingly.
TB
From: United States
Texas Bill, i also see it as a lack of respect for the collective society. dominicans are great at waving flags and saying ¨soy Dominicano¨, but fail to see the need to put this into practice. they are meticulous in the upkeep of their homes; even those with dirt floors are broom clean at all times. the minute they get outside, all hell breaks loose. i remember the first time i flew on Dominicana De Avacion. when the plane landed at Las Americas airport, the inside looked like a sanitation truck detonated inside it. i have never seen so much garbage in one place. those were the days when you could still smoke in flight, and there were more cigarette butts on the floor than you could count. candy wrappers, empty juice bottles, raisin boxes, fruit skins and peels, you name it. my travelling companion was speechless for the better part of 10 minutes, looking at the chaos in disbelief. yet, the next time we came, it was on American, i think. it bewildered me that they did not leave that
From: United States
airliner in the condition they left theirs!! the plane was clean, and there was nothing untoward about the flight. maybe they just have not learnt the art of respecting their own to the degree we would like to see. but it is not the simplistic explanation¨Dominicans are nasty¨that is reductionist and simplistic. we all know that Dominicans can be extremely sanitary when they so choose.
From: United States
A responsible system of trash utilization would bring positive rewards for sanitary behaviour. The most obvious motivation would be the ability to sell your trash or the trash you pick up from around you. In this way it is economically irresponsible to improperly dispose of refuse.
Growing Opportunties
GrowingUSA@aol.com
From: United States
that works well only in a situation wherein the trash has a high reuseable content. in cities, for example, with higher literacy and more periodicals, recyclable paper is plentiful. in rural areas, the trash has a different composition, mainly agricultural products such as fruit and vegetable matter, candy wrappers, etc. not to mention the ubiquitous styrofoam. but you are right; recycling issues have to be addressed, or we will soon be digging ourselves out from beneath shoe boxes and discarded plywood!
From: United States
I apologize for not expressing myself more clearly. Agricultural waste, food waste, gum wrappers, etc is what we are after. We assume that recyclable metals and other valuable items have already been removed from the waste stream.
Growing Opporttunities
GrowingUSA@aol.com
From: Dominican Republic
I was removed from the waste stream and my mother thinks I am pretty valuable....
From: United States
FIRST OF ALL ... why did they stop making all the coca cola stuff in bottles, plastic Dominicans use to live with out it? They had a system that worked. You no longer see people collecting bottles on the street in DR. Styrofoam “ I hate it” Leo should make It illegal. All this stuff we import, most of it is garbage.
From: Canada
chill that part about importing all that junk is true and explains why they dont have much litter in cuba .....that and the 8 mos. in the reeducation center{gulag] for littering
From: Dominican Republic
goulet; have you ever seen the bottom off the Malecon in La Havana? Has a funny shimmer, when you get down there the floor moves with empty crystal cans that sit on the bottom, bottom up.
From: United States
Mr Cvanmilligen, can you kindly enlighten me as to what use you intend to put agricultural waste? incinerators, maybe? if not for re-use, then i surmise that you intend to use it for other purposes, hence my question
From: Dominican Republic
dread - all organic material, as it decompostis creates gas(es). Depending on the conditions it will do so faster or slower. Technologies like this seek to provide the perfect conditions for it to be fast and produce preferred types of the different gases so that those of us who don't want to wait thousands of years for it can put it in a bottle (or a tube) and use it to cook our rice and beans, or power our Metro, or just burn it for fun.
From: Canada
Burning it for fun .......wow Pyromania
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The PNUD report concludes that the situation raises serious questions as to how government can instill responsibility and commitment on the population and industry over consumption habits. ...IF THE PRICE OF FUEL KEEPS RISING THESE BIG MOUTH ECOLOGY GROUPS ARE GONNA BE THE FIRST ONES TO GET THROWN OVER THE SIDE >>>>THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THESE INCREASES IN PRICE
You may want to give credit where credit is due to Al Gore and his global warming campaign the next time you fill your car with gasoline, because there is a direct connection between Global Warming and four dollar a gallon gas. It is shocking, but true, to learn that the entire Global Warming frenzy is based on the environmentalist’s attack on fossil fuels, particularly gasoline. All this big time science, international meetings, thick research papers, dire threats for the future; all of it, comes down to their claim that the carbon dioxide in the exhaust from your car and in the smoke stacks from our power plants is destroying the climate of planet Earth. What an amazing fraud; what a scam.
The future of our civilization lies in the balance. ................John Coleman is founder of weather channel
It is obvious, based on my "great circle" trip around the country over the past couple of days, that the rich are as guilty as the poor when it comes to litter.
This society is based on...out of site...out of mind. Or so it seems. They have no idea what a beautiful country they have. No other island can say it is as diversified as this one...but many...including Cuba...can say that they are much more aware of the impact of a "toss it out the window" mentality.
Ban styrofoam containers.....that would be a great start!
Power production through clean burning technology to provide needed electrical power and clean water is the most significant opportunity available. However, other processes can be considered which add value to the waste and provide revenue and employment opportunities.
Growing Opportunities
Growing USA@AOL.com
Also, there needs to be a NATIONAL train system connecting Northern air & sea ports (POP, Samana) with Southern ports (SDQ, LRM and western PUJ airports) with strategic stops in STI and La Vega to move both people & products to/from markets and even exports to ports faster. Old trucks & buses can be eliminated breaking monopolies as well as cars on the highway minimized as the demands for imported oil & gasoline lessens.
It may be hard to trust the RD Gov with nuclear technology given the corruption levels.
juan_de_eeuu@hotmail.com
In fact, in our sister project in SE Asia we are buying the trash rather than charging the households to have it picked up.
Growing Opportunities
GrowingUSA@aol.com
The problem lies in the learned daily habit patterns of a lifetime, and what they see other people do.
The people just say, "If Juan throws his trash out the window or onto the street, why should I not do the same thing?". It is this attitude toward public responsibility that is the root of the "trash" problems we all face in any community.
Municipal governments could do a lot to alleviate this with street signs and heavy littering fines which would constantly remind the people to not throw their trash into/onto anyplace except the furnished garbage/trash receptacles scattered throughout the area.
Think about solutions and encourage municipal authorities to act accordingly.
TB
Growing Opportunties
GrowingUSA@aol.com
Growing Opporttunities
GrowingUSA@aol.com