The commune of Aïn El-Hammam, located 50 kilometers southeast of Tizi-Ouzou, is grappling with the absence of a dump site, making it difficult to collect and dispose of the daily waste generated by its population of over 20,000 inhabitants. This issue has persisted since the closure of the old communal landfill. As a result, residents are forced to seek alternative solutions to dispose of their household waste.
In the absence of a functional dump site, the commune has had to rely on neighboring towns for waste disposal, with residents required to obtain authorization to dispose of their waste. Additionally, the town has turned to private companies to manage waste collection, but this has not yielded the desired results. While waste collection occurs daily in the town and its outskirts, villages only have waste collected twice a week.
The private collectors engaged for waste collection have not been able to meet the demands of the community, with residents expressing frustration at the limited number of rotations. In some cases, collectors arrive at village platforms, park their vehicles, and wait for residents to unload their trash, requiring them to be present between 9 am and 11 am. This has led to concerns about the effectiveness of the waste management system.
Residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the current system, citing instances where waste is not collected, and they are forced to dispose of it themselves. "It's pointless to go to work and expect the driver to collect your trash. You'll find your garbage in the same spot, sometimes torn open by stray dogs," said Mohamed, a resident of Aïn El-Hammam. This has resulted in trash-filled ditches and unofficial dumping sites.
Despite the official closure of village dump sites, they continue to receive waste, and residents are unsure about disposing of inert waste, such as construction materials. The lack of a functional dump site has created a persistent and potentially worsening problem for the commune. Residents are calling for a solution to this issue.
The situation in Aïn El-Hammam highlights the challenges faced by communities without adequate waste management infrastructure. The town's reliance on neighboring communes and private companies has not alleviated the issue, and residents are urging the authorities to address this problem. A functional dump site is essential for maintaining public health and environmental sustainability.
The issue of waste management in Aïn El-Hammam remains unresolved, with residents continuing to face difficulties in disposing of their waste. The commune's efforts to find a solution have been insufficient, and the problem is likely to persist until a new dump site is established. The town's residents hope that their concerns will be addressed, and a viable solution will be implemented soon.
Key points
- The lack of a dump site in Aïn El-Hammam has resulted in significant waste management challenges for the town's 20,000 residents.
- Residents are forced to seek alternative solutions, including obtaining authorization to dispose of waste in neighboring towns.
- The town's reliance on private companies has not alleviated the issue, and a functional dump site is essential for resolving the problem.
