During the parliamentary meeting where SERLIMAR presented its strategic plan, Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters from the PPA faction delivered a strong and direct message: “The waste crisis in Aruba is not just a technical or logistical problem, but primarily a problem of lack of enforcement, lack of responsibility, and a lack of political leadership.”
According to figures presented by SERLIMAR, the state-owned company covers between 80% to 90% of domestic waste collection in Aruba. But despite this, the reality is that Aruba is dirtier than ever. “We cannot continue allowing Aruba to become a country where trash dominates the streets, nature, and people’s yards,” Pieters emphasized.
A structural system that enforces rules
One of the most critical points Pieters brought to the table was the current situation where SERLIMAR could (after many attempts) reach the point of removing trash bins from people who have not paid their contributions. According to Pieters, this creates a much larger problem. “The cardinal question is: when you take away a trash bin from a house, where do they throw their trash then?” he questioned.
For the PPA faction, the answer is visible in every neighborhood, in nature, in people’s yards, and on abandoned plots of land. This directly contributes to the illegal dumping problem that Aruba is currently facing.
SERLIMAR cannot carry the weight alone
Pieters indicated that Parliament must also take responsibility. According to Pieters, SERLIMAR has the legal obligation to collect waste and contribute to waste management, but the reality is that the company still does not have the full capacity, personnel, or budget to carry all the responsibilities that the government places on its shoulders.
Something incredible but true is that currently, SERLIMAR—an Aruban company—still has to pay a tipping fee to a private company to process waste on land owned by the country of Aruba. For Pieters, this is proof that Aruba still lacks a structural and sustainable system for waste management.
“There are already laws. The question is not whether there are laws. The question is why we are not enforcing them,” he declared.
“Aruba’s cancer is the lack of enforcement”
In one of the strongest moments of the interview, Pieters declared that “Aruba’s cancer is the lack of enforcement.” According to Pieters, the government often avoids taking firm action because nobody wants to crack down on the irresponsible behavior of our people.
“It cannot be acceptable that a Prime Minister has to go pick up trash, like refrigerators, in neighborhoods because people refuse to follow rules. This does not help change the attitude or the waste situation in Aruba,” Pieters said. For the PPA, the time has come to apply serious fines and sanctions to those who consciously litter Aruba.
The real solution is a change in mindset
Despite his strong criticism, Pieters emphasized that the long-term solution is not just repression, but education. According to Pieters, the change must start at school and at home.
“A child cannot learn at school to take care of the environment while the parent opens the car door and throws a bottle outside,” he expressed.
The PPA faction believes that Aruba must move toward a culture where waste separation, recycling, and civic responsibility become the norm, not the exception.
“There is no sustainability without discipline”
Pieters concluded that Aruba cannot keep talking about sustainable tourism and quality of life while the waste problem remains out of control. To achieve a clean and sustainable Aruba, the government must stop with speeches and shows and finally start showing leadership, enforcing the law with authority, consistency, and vision.
“A clean country is not just created with slogans. It is created with discipline, education, and leadership that is not afraid to make decisions,” he concluded.