Parkietenbos Landfill Now Equipped with Two New, Modern Incinerators

This event was held as part of the new incinerator project, which is intended primarily to ease the processing of medical waste. This type of waste can no longer be disposed of at the existing residential and industrial waste mound, better known as the landfill.

The project is of great importance, not only for improving waste management, but also for enhancing the working conditions of employees. For a long time, the area where medical waste was stored was nearly full, creating an alarming situation. This posed a risk to both workers and the surrounding communities of Simeon Antonio and nearby neighborhoods.

With the installation of two new incinerators, the volume of biological and medical waste can now be reduced efficiently, without causing significant environmental impact. In addition, two mobile incinerators from outside Aruba are expected to arrive soon, which will help further accelerate the waste processing operation.

Given the challenging conditions under which employees work, management has also invested in facilities aimed at improving employee well-being. Dump workers currently spend their entire workday in an unhygienic environment and often return home wearing the same protective clothing. This poses health risks, as employees may enter their private vehicles and homes with potentially contaminated clothing.

The new facility provides employees with the opportunity to change clothes and wash their work garments, ensuring they are clean for the next workday. In addition, special handwashing and disinfection installations have been placed, separate from areas where food is consumed.

According to the Minister of Justice and Energy, Mr. Arthur Dowers, the challenges at the start of his term in this portfolio were significant. He expressed his appreciation to all involved stakeholders, and in particular to Serlimar, for their perseverance and patience during difficult times. The realization of this new facility marks an important milestone in the management of medical waste and represents a major step toward a more efficient and effective waste management system in Aruba. The government remains aware, however, that operating this installation will continue to be complex, partly due to the need for ongoing communication with nearby residents.

At the conclusion of the speeches, the Director of Utilities, Mr. Joseph Everon, surprised Ms. Zoey Cornijn of the Luna Foundation with a donation of three thousand florins. This donation was intended as a token of appreciation for the foundation’s tireless work on behalf of stray dogs, an issue that also affects the area surrounding the Parkietenbos landfill.