The EPA and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have partnered with other federal agencies and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PRDNER) to develop an infographic guide, with a primary goal of educating municipalities about the need to incorporate solid waste and disaster debris management into the next revisions of their hazard mitigation plans. EPA and FEMA are collaborating with PRDNER, which has the lead for solid waste management, to support Puerto Rico municipalities through the challenges they are facing when it comes to solid waste and disaster debris management in Puerto Rico. By developing educational materials and providing technical support, the agencies aim to build capacity related to solid waste and disaster debris management.
The infographic also highlights possible funding sources that could help stabilize community lifelines after emergencies through mitigation strategies related to solid waste management. In order to streamline access to these federal funds for solid waste management activities, municipalities need to include solid waste management assets and strategies in their local hazard mitigation plans. “There are important considerations as municipalities embark in reconstruction and recovery projects. FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) has been vital in capacity-building to support municipalities in partnerships with other federal agencies,” said FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico, José G. Baquero.
“Municipal governments play a critical role in managing solid waste across Puerto Rico, so it’s vital that they have the tools and knowledge needed to reduce pollution and protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator, Walter Mugdan. “This new guide and subsequent educational materials and events will help provide solutions to municipal solid waste challenges in Puerto Rico while mitigating risks associated with disasters.”
“The challenge of managing, recycling and disposing of solid waste in Puerto Rico is a comprehensive issue that requires the diligent attention of the Government of Puerto Rico. The collaboration with EPA, FEMA, and other federal and local agencies is extremely important, as this allows us to reach our goals to manage solid waste in a sustainable way. For that reason, it is critical that municipalities integrate sustainable material management into their solid waste and disaster debris management plans” said DNER Secretary, Rafael Machargo. “In addition, the development of these initiatives provides municipalities with a list of options for local and federal sources of funding to address these tasks and efforts. The information included in the infographic will provide municipalities and the governmental agencies with the best alternatives to manage and meet the challenge of proper management of solid waste in Puerto Rico.”