ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruba Waste Management remains a major challenge despite the opening of a permanent disposal site and the success of recent community cleanup efforts.
Serlimar Director Michel Henriquez said the island has accumulated a significant amount of household and bulky waste requiring organised collection and disposal.
Speaking to DIARIO, Henriquez said the closure of the former dump created difficulties, although the recently opened disposal containers and facilities in Barcadera are helping improve the situation.
Cleanup Revealed Large Amount of Waste
Henriquez said the scale of Aruba’s waste problem became particularly visible during the recent National Day of Care for Aruba.
Residents, organisations and volunteers transported more waste than organisers had initially expected.
According to Henriquez, containers in San Nicolas were already full during the early hours of the cleanup activity.
The observation demonstrated that many homes, yards and neighbourhoods contained items that residents had been waiting for an opportunity to discard. The report did not provide a separate figure for the amount collected specifically in San Nicolas.
Barcadera Facility Provides Disposal Alternative
The permanent waste-disposal site in Barcadera officially began operating on June 1, 2026.
It provides residents with a central location for disposing of bulky items, yard waste and other approved materials.
The facility was introduced to reduce dependence on temporary neighbourhood-container campaigns and help prevent waste from accumulating beside roads, homes and vacant land.
During its first three weeks, the site received 2,472 vehicles. A total of 376 containers were emptied, representing approximately 487 tons of waste.
The government said those results confirmed the need for a permanent and accessible disposal system. The site is free for approved waste and operates Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Serlimar Considering Household Bag Campaign
Henriquez said Serlimar is developing additional measures to address household waste, particularly toward the end of 2026.
One possibility is the return of a bag-based collection campaign similar to an initiative organised many years ago.
The proposed programme would allow residents to place suitable household items inside designated bags for collection.
Henriquez stressed that the bags would not be intended for concrete blocks, construction debris or other heavy materials.
Serlimar has not yet confirmed when the campaign will begin, where bags would be distributed or whether participation would involve a fee.
Different Waste Requires Different Disposal Methods
Ordinary household waste, bulky items and construction materials cannot always be collected through the same service.
Large or heavy waste may damage collection equipment or create safety risks for employees handling bags and containers.
Serlimar does not collect bulky waste together with ordinary household garbage. Residents requiring a large container can request a separate service for items that cannot be placed inside a standard household bin.
The Barcadera facility also accepts approved bulky and yard waste, giving residents another option for disposing of larger materials responsibly.
Customers Will Receive Online Accounts
Serlimar is also preparing to expand its digital customer services.
Henriquez said customers will soon be able to create personal accounts through the company’s official website.
The planned system will allow users to review their payment status and access different services online.
No official launch date has been announced, and Serlimar has not yet explained whether customers will need an account number, identification document or other information to register.
Several Services Already Available Online
Serlimar’s website already allows residents to submit requests involving household waste services.
Available options include:
- Requesting replacement of a damaged waste bin;
- Applying for an additional bin;
- Requesting removal of an unwanted bin;
- Reporting dead animals found along public roads.
The planned customer portal is expected to bring those services together with account and payment information, reducing the need for some customers to visit Serlimar’s office in person.
Waste Management Requires Public Participation
Serlimar is responsible for waste prevention, collection, transportation, treatment and processing, as well as several public-space and environmental-management duties.
However, the company has repeatedly stated that government services alone cannot keep Aruba clean.
Residents must place household waste inside appropriate bins, use official disposal locations and avoid leaving unwanted items beside roads or on undeveloped land.
Businesses, community organisations and private waste companies also have roles in preventing illegal dumping and improving the separation and processing of discarded materials.
Long-Term Solutions Still Needed
The large volume of waste delivered during the national cleanup and the early use of the Barcadera facility indicate that Aruba requires more than occasional cleanup campaigns.
Permanent collection options, public education, reliable household services, enforcement against illegal dumping and improved recycling systems will all form part of a longer-term solution.
The government plans to evaluate the Barcadera site after six months to measure its use, impact and potential expansion to other parts of Aruba.
Serlimar’s planned bag campaign and online customer portal represent additional steps, but further details are needed before their full impact can be assessed.
Henriquez said the amount of discarded material found across the island confirms that Aruba Waste Management remains one of the country’s largest public-service and environmental challenges.
