Minister Arthur Dowers participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Aruba new incinerators on Friday at Parkietenbos 2, hosted by AWSS. The government is installing two new incinerators designed to safely dispose of medical waste in compliance with European environmental standards.
In an interview with DIARIO, Minister Dowers acknowledged that when the AVP–Futuro government took office, they inherited a troubling waste situation, including open containers filled with medical waste, animal carcasses, and hospital refuse. In some cases, containers were left open, exposing hazardous contents before being processed by existing incineration systems.
Dowers said the new incinerators represent a responsible technological solution that will address these challenges. “In a small country like ours, waste cannot simply accumulate—nor can it be dumped indiscriminately,” he said. “This is a key step forward. We hope that within a few months we can announce additional projects that will improve overall waste management in Aruba.”
The Minister emphasized the need for comprehensive waste handling solutions throughout the island. He acknowledged that while incineration is part of the solution for medical waste, other strategies—such as waste separation, recycling, and financial support for households that cannot afford private disposal—must be developed in partnership with relevant government departments.
“Our approach is not just about creating infrastructure,” Dowers said. “We are analyzing and working with the teams responsible to develop long‑term plans for waste separation, recycling, and deciding what should be incinerated in the future.”
