Meyers on waste: “Tourism is our main source of income, but also the main source of our damages”

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Franklin Meyers has called for a fundamental rethink of how St. Maarten finances its garbage collection and waste management system, arguing that the country cannot continue budgeting for the waste generated by its resident population while overlooking the additional burden created by millions of tourists each year.

Speaking during Tuesday's parliamentary meeting with Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs, Meyers emphasized that although tourism is the driving force behind St. Maarten's economy, it also contributes significantly to the volume of garbage requiring collection and disposal.

He urged government to explore a system that ensures the tourism sector contributes more directly to the cost of keeping the island clean, rather than leaving the financial responsibility largely with government and its existing waste collection arrangements.

He argued that while government budgets for garbage collection based primarily on the needs of the resident population, the system must also accommodate substantial waste generated by cruise passengers, stayover tourists and other visitors.

Meyers referred to an estimated resident population of 40,000 and approximately two million annual visitors to illustrate what he considers an imbalance between the population used to determine collection needs and the actual demands placed on the system. The figures were cited by the MP during the meeting.

According to Meyers, the current financial arrangements might be sufficient if the garbage collection system were servicing residents alone. However, tourism significantly increases the volume of waste that must be collected, transported and disposed of, placing additional demands on government resources.

The MP argued that St. Maarten must find a way for the tourism sector and the visitors contributing to the waste stream to share in the responsibility for maintaining the country's cleanliness.

He acknowledged that tourism is a major source of economic activity and revenue for St. Maarten, but emphasized that its contribution to the economy must also be considered alongside the additional costs it creates for public services.

Meyers suggested that government should examine a system through which the financial impact of tourism on garbage collection and landfill operations is better accounted for.

While he did not outline a specific financing mechanism or propose a particular new fee, his comments highlighted the need to reconsider how waste management is funded and whether existing arrangements adequately reflect the country's economic structure.

The MP also addressed the recent wastewater overflow at the treatment plant on Illidge Road, which attracted public attention following the circulation of video footage showing the situation at the facility.

Meyers asked the minister to clarify whether the overflow resulted from an ordinary operational problem or whether it was connected to the expiration of the previous management agreement.

The minister had earlier informed Parliament that the plant's management agreement ended in August 2026 and was not renewed. VROMI subsequently assumed responsibility for the facility's daily operations while preparations continue for a new management arrangement.

Meyers emphasized that establishing the cause of the overflow is important before determining whether the incident resulted from the change in management or from a technical problem that could have occurred regardless of who was operating the plant.

He pointed out that blockages and overflows can occur in wastewater systems under normal operating circumstances, much like plumbing problems can occur in residential buildings.

However, he questioned whether the recent incident was the first of its kind at the facility or whether similar problems had occurred previously.

The MP also sought clarification on whether the overflow could have resulted from inadequate routine maintenance following the expiration of the management contract.

His questions centered on determining whether the incident was an isolated technical failure or evidence of a problem requiring further attention to the plant's management and maintenance arrangements.

Meyers maintained that St. Maarten's waste management challenges require a broader government approach that considers both the operational needs of public facilities and the financial demands created by the country's economy.

His contribution placed particular attention on the relationship between tourism and the public cost of maintaining a clean island, raising the question of whether the existing system distributes those costs appropriately.

The MP's remarks also highlighted the importance of obtaining accurate information about incidents affecting essential infrastructure before drawing conclusions about their causes.

As Parliament continues examining garbage collection contracts, wastewater management and the country's wider waste disposal challenges, Meyers is seeking greater clarity on the circumstances surrounding the recent sewage overflow and consideration of a financing approach that reflects the demands tourism places on St. Maarten's waste management system.

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