During a parliamentary meeting where SERLIMAR presented its strategic plan, MP Eduard Pieters of 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 lack of political leadership.”
According to the figures presented by SERLIMAR, the state-owned company covers between 80% and 90% of domestic waste collection in Aruba. Yet, despite this, the reality is that Aruba is dirtier than ever. “We cannot continue to let Aruba become a country where trash dominates the streets, the wilderness, and people’s yards,” Pieters emphasized.
A structural system that executes rules One of the most critical points Pieters put on the table was the current situation where SERLIMAR can (after many attempts) reach the point of removing trash bins from people who haven’t paid their contributions. According to Pieters, this creates a much larger problem. “The cardinal question is: when you take away someone’s trash bin at home, where are they going to throw their trash then?” he questioned. For the PPA faction, the answer is visible in every neighborhood, in the wilderness, in yards, and on abandoned lots. This contributes directly to the illegal dumping problem Aruba is currently facing.
SERLIMAR cannot carry the weight alone Pieters indicated that Parliament must also take responsibility. While SERLIMAR has the legal obligation to collect waste, the reality is that the company still lacks the full capacity, personnel, and budget to carry all the responsibilities the government places on its shoulders.
An incredible but true fact is that currently, SERLIMAR—an Aruban state company—still has to pay a tipping fee to a private company to process waste on Aruban land. For Pieters, this is proof that Aruba still lacks a structural and sustainable waste management system. “There are laws already. The question isn’t whether there are laws. The question is why we aren’t executing them,” he declared.
“Aruba’s cancer is the lack of enforcement” In one of the strongest moments of the interview, Pieters declared that “the cancer of Aruba is the lack of enforcement.” He noted that the government often avoids taking firm action because no one wants to crack down on the irresponsible behavior of our people.
“It shouldn’t be normal for a Prime Minister to have to go and pick up trash like old refrigerators in neighborhoods because people won’t follow the rules. This does not help change the attitude or the waste situation in Aruba,” Pieters said. For PPA, the time has come to apply fines and serious sanctions to those who consciously pollute Aruba.
The real solution is a change in mentality Despite his strong criticism, Pieters emphasized that the long-term solution is not just repression, but education. According to him, the change must start at school and at home. “A child cannot learn at school to care for the environment while a parent opens the car door and throws a bottle outside,” he expressed.
“No sustainability without discipline” Pieters concluded that Aruba cannot continue to talk 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—applying the law with authority, consistency, and vision.