By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Long Point, Nevis) ” The much-anticipated arrival of a compacting unit capable of baling tires, plastics and cardboard came to fruition last week at the Low Ground Sanitary Landfill. The equipment, valued at US$62,000, was purchased through a partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, the Canada Fund and Four Seasons Estates, which paid for the shipping from Miami to Nevis. Once compressed, the tires, plastic and cardboard can be shipped off island for recycling. “We have already spoken with two companies in French West Indies about purchasing the used tires,” said Solid Waste Management General Manager Carlyn Lawrence. “They take the tires and use them in rubberized asphalt for paving roads.” The machine will also be hired out, as soon as Nevis gets its tires processed. “It is portable and St. Kitts has more tires than we do, so we can take care of some of their tire problem, for a price of course,” she said. “We offered to have one of their employees attend the training we had for the equipment, but they declined.” When the machine is farmed out to St. Kitts, a Solid Waste employee from Nevis will go along to run it, said Ms. Lawrence. The EP100P portable waste tire packer is a vertical downstroke baler which compresses approximately 100 whole passenger, light and commercial truck tires into a bale measuring 30″ X 50″ X 60″. The weight of the completed bale is approximately one ton. The baler and three persons are capable of making from four to six bales an hour on a steady basis. The baler is also capable of baling other recyclables such as cardboard and aluminum. With proper training, it is possible to incorporate two whole commercial truck tires or tractor tires in each passenger bale. This eliminates the need for a costly tire cutter. The completed bales are easily handled with a fork-lift or front-end loader. Dick Charlebois from Encore Systems, the equipment manufacturer, arrived last week to train Solid Waste employees in the operation of the new tire baler. He also attended the unveiling ceremony to demonstrate how the machine works. Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Hon. Hensley Daniel attended the meeting and spoke on the importance of reducing waste tires for both aesthetic and health reasons. “When we market the country we don’t just sell a villa, we sell environment,” said the Minister. “This equipment will not only improve the island’s aesthetic appeal, but create a healthier environment by reducing the breeding ground for mosquitoes.” John Guilbert of the NHCS spoke briefly at the ceremony and said now that they have the tire baler, the Society plans to turn its attention to ridding the island of scrap metal and junk cars.
