The Haags Bosch landfill site, the first engineered sanitary landfill in Guyana, is scheduled for closure in 2029, as confirmed by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand. This announcement was made during the 2026 Budget Estimates discussions in the Committee of Supply, following inquiries from Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul regarding the landfill’s future amid rapid urban development.
The landfill, which has undergone significant changes with the completion of Cell One and Cell Two, is currently utilizing Cell Three. Minister Manickchand explained that closure will be executed according to the site’s engineered design, avoiding any premature closure.
Mahipaul expressed concerns about the landfill’s proximity to extensive developments, including new housing schemes, highways, and the under-construction 12-storey Ministry of Public Works complex. He pointed out that the original buffer zone has been encroached upon due to the rapid expansion along the East Bank corridor.
Acknowledging the extensive infrastructure upgrades and housing distribution over the past five years, Minister Manickchand assured that mitigation works have been implemented to minimize the landfill’s impact on surrounding communities.
The Haags Bosch site has faced criticism regarding foul odors affecting nearby areas such as Eccles, Windsor Estates, Prospect, and Providence. In response to these complaints, the Minister reported that between September and mid-December, exposed old garbage was covered, considerably alleviating the long-standing odor issues.
“What we were getting was decaying garbage smell travelling into communities,” she stated. “That is no longer happening.” However, she noted that motorists along the East Bank Highway may still experience odors from newly deposited waste, for which the Ministry is collaborating with technical experts to develop further solutions, including the possibility of seeking external expertise if required.
In addition to addressing the current landfill situation, the government has plans to establish a network of modern landfill sites across the country as part of a comprehensive overhaul of solid waste management. Proposed locations for new sites include:
Zorg-en-Vlygt (Region Two)
La Grange/Catherine (Region Three)
Onderneeming (Region Five)
Madewini (Region Four)
Fort Success (Region Six)
Lethem (Region Nine)
Mabaruma/Rockstone (Region Ten)
Additional sites in the Mazaruni and MMA Scheme areas
These facilities are expected to implement a modern, circular approach to waste management.
Minister Manickchand also announced that every municipality and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) will receive garbage trucks, bins, and compactors this year. Additionally, a national public education campaign will focus on changing waste disposal habits.
“This cannot just be the government’s responsibility,” she emphasized. “The nation has to get behind changing our habits on waste disposal.”
