St. Maarten Private Eye

The photos below were taken during the above tour by the students. They were accompanied by a French side official whilst on the French side and they visited Galisbay car dump.

The batteries in the next two photos are suspected to be left over from a business venture started a couple of years ago to promote recycling. The program allowed those redeeming used batteries to get a $5 discount voucher which they could then use against the purchase of a new one at a wide variety of stores. It is my understanding that some stores decided not to be a part of this program and as a result it collapsed due to "market forces". The company went bust and closed down, leaving the batteries behind at their office site in Galisbay.

It is interesting to note that the batteries pictured are likely from the Dutch side, possibly companies such as Telcell, UTS or perhaps ECC. THe French inspector told the students that these kind of batteries were not used on the French side. It is very sad and unfortunate for the island that this program collapsed, it is also scandalous and disgusting that major companies on the island do not have provisions and policies to take care of their industrial waste.

We hear talk about how both sides of the island are working towards a solution to the waste problem, we hear of meetings, conferences and reports. A visit to the Dutch side dump will show that there is absolutley no provision for toxic and industrial waste such as batteries, old paint and chemicals. They are dumped alongside everything else. This is plain madness and pure incompetant ignorance on the part of the government, of both sides, irreversable damage is being done.

The companies that opted out of the program should be boycotted, this is one way we can have an influence. I would love to find out who they are.