Green waste site opens in As Gonno; officials stress ‘green waste only’

A temporary green waste dumping site in As Gonno opened to the public yesterday, April 28, with authorities emphasizing strict compliance on what can be dropped off as post-typhoon cleanup accelerates.

Michael Tan, an environmental engineer with the Division of Environmental Quality, said teams from DEQ, the Department of Public Works, and Division Parks and Recreation are stationed at the As Gonno Debris Recovery Facility to monitor incoming loads.

“Our role here is just to monitor the site. Only the green waste is open now and just make sure that all of the waste coming here is only green waste.”

The site opened at 10am and will operate until 5pm for the initial day, with standard hours set to follow.

As of opening, no loads had yet been received, but officials said the site is ready to accept debris from residents.

“It’s open to the public now so whenever people come by with their green waste, they can drop it off.”

A load form will be completed on-site to document each drop-off.

Authorities reiterated that only vegetative debris—such as tree branches, leaves, and other organic material—will be accepted at this location, with separate sites planned for other types of waste.

An adjacent facility will accept man-made debris such as appliances, metals, and construction materials, but hasn’t opened yet.

DPW Secretary Ray N. Yumul earlier said the As Gonno Debris Recovery Facility was a week away from opening, but in a social media message to Marianas Press, he said the opening of the green waste was accelerated following his meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last April 27.