DPW readies As Gonno debris site as Sinlaku cleanup ramps up

The Department of Public Works is preparing a debris recovery site in As Gonno to receive the massive volume of waste left by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

The Typhoon Sinlaku - As Gonno Temporary Debris Waste Disposal Site will open April 28th, at 10:00 AM and close at 5:00pm to receive Green Waste.

DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul said the As Gonno site—officially called the As Gonno Debris Recovery Facility—will serve as a central staging area, split into two adjacent sections: one dedicated to green waste and another for man-made debris such as appliances, metals, and construction materials.

“So the reason why this site was picked was because of the fact that we’ve actually used this in the past,” Yumul said, citing its use after previous storms including Super Typhoon Yutu.

Behind the main entrance, DPW has designated an area for vegetative debris like tree limbs and foliage, while a larger adjacent space will handle “the appliances… basically the e-waste, the white goods, the metals, the C&Ds (Construction & Demolition) that will be all staged in that area,” he said.

The effort will be carried out in coordination with federal partners, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—through the Federal Emergency and Management Agency—deploying a contractor to oversee collection and disposal.

“They will actually come here and begin the process of setting up to do the waste collection and debris removal together with the state,” Yumul said. “Myself, my team will integrate with Army Corps and the contractor so that we can work hand in hand to do the cleanup.”

Yumul said contracts are being finalized, with “boots on the ground within that same time frame” and operations expected to begin next week.

In addition to As Gonno, DPW has identified two more staging areas—a green waste-only site in Kagman and a third facility near Marpi, adjacent to the Cowtown area.

“With the three properties identified, we’re ready to go,” he said, adding that minor permit adjustments are underway to include the federal contractor.

Residents will have two options—wait for federally contracted crews to collect debris curbside or bring waste directly to the sites. However, Yumul stressed that all debris must be placed at the roadside.

“As federal contractors, they’re not authorized to go into private property,” he said.

DPW will also station personnel at the As Gonno facility to assist residents and track incoming waste.

To streamline operations, Yumul is urging the public to properly segregate debris. Yumul outlined simple guidelines:

Separate green waste (tree branches, vegetation) from all other materials

Group metals together and detach them from mixed debris where possible

Place construction and demolition debris—such as concrete and lumber—in a separate pile

Isolate appliances like refrigerators and freezers

Keep household hazardous materials—paints, chemicals, and battery-operated items—in their own pile

“The rule is real simple,” Yumul said. “Metals in one area, green waste in another pile, appliances also needs to be separated.”

He warned that certain items will not be accepted under FEMA guidelines, including loose used tires and debris from commercial establishments.

For hazardous materials, special precautions will be in place, particularly for lithium-ion batteries, which pose fire risks.

“If these items catch fire, it’s pretty much hard to put out,” Yumul said.

Green waste collected at the site will be processed using chipping equipment, with mulch made available to the public for gardening and agricultural use. Meanwhile, man-made waste will either be recycled locally or shipped off-island, with appliances undergoing proper removal of refrigerants before disposal.

Yumul said DPW will release flyers and advisories in the coming days as the opening of the As Gonno Debris Recovery Facility approaches.