Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Dominica
+1 767 449 8168 | secretary@dswmc.dm

Empowering Responsible Waste Management.

Let us make a difference together.

Collection

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Recycling

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Composting

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About Us

The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), was established by the Solid Waste Management Act 17 of 1996 (PDF, 115 KB), with the responsibility of developing solid waste management facilities for storage, collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste for matters incidental thereto. The Corporation commenced operations with effect from July 1, 1997.

Organizational Chart

Organizational chart of the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation

What is Solid Waste?

Solid waste, or refuse, are residues of human activity, and encompass all biodegradable and non-biodegradable, combustible or non-combustible solid wastes except human body wastes.

These include garbage, ashes, household, industrial, and street refuse; dead animals, abandoned vehicles, demolition and construction, sewerage, and hazardous refuse. The classifications are:

  1. Residential Waste

    This is composed of garbage, rubbish, trash, ashes and old appliances. The garbage comes from food preparations, the rubbish, ashes and trash come from homes and consist of paper, boxes, tree branches, yard trimmings, tins and bottles.

  2. Commercial Waste

    This is derived from wholesale and retail trades, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and other commercial houses. Such wastes include garbage, trash, bulky material, cartons, tins and bottles.

  3. Industrial Waste

    This is derived from manufacturing activities such as waste chemicals, bottles, wood, tin cans, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard and other metallic wastes.

  4. Municipal Wastes

    The are derived from street clearings discarded auto bodies, ashes, sludge from sewers, dead animals and wastes from public markets and parks. Most of these wastes are accumulated on the side-walks and gutters and consists of leaves, construction material, paper, plastic cups, foam containers, metal lids, cigarette butts. Waste from the cleaning of commercial establishments are the most common types of litter on streets.

  5. Institution Waste

    These are derived from hospitals, prisons and such institution. Hospital wastes need special attention because they are considered highly infectious. Such wastes include garbage, trash and disposable material.

Someone picking up trash from the ground

Community Programmes

Adopt A Block

The Adopt a Block Campaign encourages businesses in the city of Roseau, to take responsibility for their immediate area and keep their block clean.

A worker using a blower to remove leaves from the sidewalk
Education

Staff education and training is a top priority.

Here field staff are reading their monthly newsletters, Anou Palez Kont Zordiz, Lets Talk About Solid Waste.

Staff Reading Newletters