The alarming problem of trash, illegal dumping, and poor land management in Aruba remains a major challenge for the authorities. Bureau City Inspector (BCI) Public Relations Officer Maikel Gomes provided a clear overview of the daily challenges the department faces, the measures taken by the government, and the continuous violations taking place around our island by our own citizens.
One of the main points Gomes highlights is that, despite various efforts, the problem of trash and illegal dumping remains persistent. The Government introduced the so-called “waste zone” open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where citizens can dispose of trash for free. However, many people continue to ignore this facility and prefer to dump trash around the island, turning bushes and plots into clandestine dumps.
The law states: owning land does not give the right to make a disaster
A common misunderstanding in the community is that if a person owns property land (eigendom) or lease land (erfpacht), they have the right to use it for whatever they desire. Gomes emphasizes that this is completely wrong. According to Article 28 of the General Police Ordinance (Algemene Politie Verordening), it is strictly prohibited to transform lands into trash dumps or cause an environmental disaster.
When inspectors arrive at a site to handle a trash complaint, they face the challenge that trash is often dumped at night or in the early morning hours when the service is not present. Although inspection has the power to issue fines in certain situations, when it concerns major sanctions and the determination of the exact amount, the case remains in the hands of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM). Furthermore, despite having authority in collaboration with the police, the penalization process depends on the type of violation and the decision of the OM.
The confusion regarding excavated lands and the role of different departments
Excavated lands (uitgraving) for extracting sand: BCI PR Officer Maikel Gomes explained that when a land is excavated, the case falls directly under the direction of the Department of Nature and Environment (DNM) and goes completely out of City Inspector’s hands. Ultimately, land management—whether property, lease, or for planting—remains under the Directorate of Infrastructure and Planning (DIP).
Bureau City Inspector (BCI) acts as an entry point for many complaints via the FIXI system to competent departments such as DIP, DOW, KPA, or DNM. However, Gomes underlines that after a case is transferred to another institution, the responsibility to follow through and deliver results remains in the hands of the concerned instance.
BCI PR Officer Maikel Gomes makes a strong appeal to the common sense of the entire people of Aruba. To remember that Aruba is our home, and the fact that you own a piece of land does not give any citizen the right to destroy the environment. Stricter collaboration is demanded from both the public and all governmental departments (DNM, DIP, DOW, KPA) to jointly fulfill their duty and keep our island clean. Only together can we achieve a cleaner Aruba.
