DREFF Raises Awareness of the Environmental and Human Health Risks Associated with Solid Waste

New York, June 1, 2012

DREFF's program on solid waste and recycling, held Wednesday, May 30th at FUNGLODE headquarters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, spurred much interest among attendees.

Solid waste is arguably the most pressing environmental concern impacting the Dominican Republic. Population growth coupled with industrial expansion exacerbates waste production, posing serious risks to the environment and human health.

Semisolid or solid matter that are created by human activities, and which are disposed of because they are hazardous or useless, are known as solid waste. Most of the solid wastes, like paper, plastic bags, containers, bottles, cans, and even used cars and electronic goods are not biodegradable, which means they do not get broken down through inorganic or organic processes. Thus, when they accumulate they pose a health threat to people. Decaying wastes attract household pests and result in urban areas becoming unhealthy, dirty, and unsightly places to reside in. Moreover, hazardous or toxic constituents from decaying waste can leach into and contaminate groundwater and/or surface water.

Solid waste management has become an environmental and social issue for most cities in the Dominican Republic. Between 6,000 and 8,000 tons of solid waste is produced each day in the Dominican Republic, with more than 80% coming from municipal (non-industrial) sources. According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, nearly 90% of the municipalities surveyed identified solid waste management as their top environmental priority primarily because of a lack of collection and disposal capacity. Though progress has been made by allocating funds to municipalities for landfill expansion projects and recycling collection centers, the reality is that inadequate and unsafe disposal of waste is common.

The program convened on May 30th included panel presentations by instrumental players in country's efforts to address waste management, followed by the screening of the documentary film Bag It!

National experts Ginny Heinsen (Project Coordinator, Center for the Development of Agriculture and Forestry CEDAF), Lorna Aquino (Excecutive Director, Green Love), Nicolas Mendoza (Executive Director, Fundación de Saneamiento Ambiental de la Zurza – FUNSAZURZA) and Domingo Contreras (Secretary General of the Municipality) spoke of the severity of the issue and the awareness raising campaigns being launched to educate citizens about recycling and proper waste disposable.

The effects of plastic on waterways, wildlife and human health was echoed during the screening of Bag It!. The award winning film by director Suzan Beraza follows a man's quest to discover where plastic bags come from, where they go once discarded, and if they are necessary. The film goes further still to investigate the presence of plastic in all facets of human life, and the detrimental corollaries of the chemicals that comprise it.

The program concluded with remarks by photographer and environmental activist Fer Figueras on his latest photography exhibit, Maquina de espuma (Machine of Foam). The powerful exhibit is a photographic commentary on the ever increasing presence of plastic in our natural environment.

This program is the outcome of the I Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, celebrated in September 2011, and the resulting national and international network that emerged.

About Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival
DREFF raises awareness and deepens understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of the country's natural heritage. Through screening a diverse selection of high-quality films on matters of environmental concern, and organizing panel discussions with environmental experts, filmmakers and other stakeholders, the Festival seeks to foster dialogue and to inspire Dominican audiences to adopt practices that will ensure for the health and environmental sustainability of the country.

By bringing together youth, scholars, experts, activists, filmmakers, representatives of public, private and nongovernmental institutions and the general public, the Festival promotes programs and projects that contribute to environmental protection, conservation and sustainability.

Join us in celebrating the Second Edition of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, to take place September 5-9, 2012!

For more information, contact: info@muestracinemedioambientaldominicana.org

Related links:
www.cedaf.org.do
www.fundsazurza.com
www.ferfigheras.com.ar
www.facebook.com/GreenLoveRD