Garbage collection on New Providence will be increased from once to twice weekly starting next month, the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) announced today.

The increase in collections is expected to significantly reduce the collections backlog normally experienced over the holiday season, said DEHS Director Melony McKenzie.

“It is not unusual to see a larger than usual accumulation of garbage because of the extra festivities over the holidays. 

We anticipate that the new system will result in a much smoother collections operation and adequately address the extra build-up of garbage that is normally seen every year around the Christmas holidays,” sad Ms. McKenzie.

“As of around 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, the vast majority of the 61 collection routes on New Providence had been completed and we expect that very shortly, the entire island will be done.” 

Over the weekend, eight of the contracted garbage collection companies worked overtime to remove excess garbage. Routine collections will begin tomorrow (Tuesday), said Ms. McKenzie.

Once the new twice-weekly system is implemented more collection companies will be added to the roster, she said.

Ms. McKenzie reminded residents that the DEHS does not collect garbage from commercial businesses or apartment buildings with four or more units.