Aruba’s government has formally established an Aruba waste task force to prepare practical proposals for a durable, coordinated and responsible approach to the island’s waste problems.
The Task Force Aanpak Afvalproblematiek officially took effect on September 1, 2026. Its first meeting was held on September 8, when participating organizations shared information about their current roles, the problems they see and the support they could provide.
Group will address prevention and enforcement
According to the government announcement reported by 24ora, the task force will focus on preventing illegal dumping and enforcing the laws that apply to it. Its work will also include an island-wide cleaning plan, sustainable waste processing, relevant data and statistics, recycling and organic-waste processing.
The group has also been asked to identify a long-term method of financing waste management. It will assess whether existing laws should be changed or new legislation is needed and work to build support for implementing its proposals.
Government departments and utilities join effort
The task force includes representatives connected with the ministers responsible for waste and energy, the environment and infrastructure. Officials and specialists from Directie Natuur en Milieu, Directie Economische Zaken, the infrastructure and tourism ministries, DOW, Bureau City Inspector, Serlimar, Utilities, AWSS and WEB Aruba are among the participants named in the announcement.
DEHZI and a representative of the ministry responsible for tourism are also participating.
Proposals will go to Minister Dowers
The task force’s final objective is to submit concrete proposals to Justice, Integrity, Public Transport and Energy Minister Arthur Dowers and to support implementation of approved policies and projects.
Dowers said Aruba cannot keep responding only when waste problems become visible. The government says the new structure is intended to replace a fragmented approach with a more coordinated, long-term system.
