The garbage crisis remains unresolved: Survey

Saturday, 15 July 2017 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A recent islandwide poll conducted for leading business magazine LMD, by research firm Kantar TNS, reveals that more than 75% of those surveyed say the garbage crisis has not been resolved as yet.

According to LMD, only 16% of the people spoken to by the pollsters believe that the issue has been solved while a further 8% are unsure. And at least six in 10 survey respondents don’t feel that the State has reacted swiftly to resolve the crisis while noting that ‘Government solutions are not sustainable…’

The magazine also notes that “there’s a similar level of disdain about the speed at which relevant authorities reacted to the Meethotamulla tragedy with the added comment that ‘steps taken for waste management are not productive and successful’.”

On the other hand, a large majority (70%) also believe that citizens too have not acted responsibly in disposing waste while 12% oppose this claim and 18% are on the fence, LMD observes.

Only 18% of those surveyed by Kantar TNS believe that waste management isn’t politicised in this country – and the people seem to think that the influence of politicians has precipitated the garbage disposal crisis When asked what measures would avert a garbage crisis in the future, citizens cite the following: relocate garbage dumps, impose stiffer penalties, invest in technology, conduct awareness campaigns, raise collectors’ wages and replace those in charge.

LMD’s publisher, Media Services, says the July edition of the pioneering business magazine has been released to leading supermarkets and bookstores in Colombo and the outstations.

Its Cover Story features an exclusive interview with Dialog Axiata’s Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe, who calls on Sri Lanka to leverage on the power of connectivity to propel the nation into the future (for the full story, log onto www.LMD.lk).