~Private Haulers say the government's landfill decision has paralyzed businesses while public waste continues to be accepted.~
MARIGOT:--- A growing waste management crisis erupted into public protest on Tuesday as private waste transporters, backed by the BTP Association, brought a convoy of heavy trucks through the streets of Marigot demanding immediate action after being barred from disposing of bulky waste and construction debris for more than two weeks.
The demonstration, which began in Galisbay before moving to the Préfecture and later the Hôtel de la Collectivité, highlighted what transporters describe as an unequal system that allows municipal household waste to continue entering the landfill under an exceptional derogation while private companies are prevented from unloading their trucks.
At the heart of the dispute is the closure of the landfill on July 11 after the final disposal cell, Cell 10, reached saturation. Since then, private operators say their businesses have been effectively shut down because the site operated by Verde SXM has refused to accept their loads of bulky waste and construction debris.
The protesters insist they are not asking for special treatment. Instead, they are demanding the same opportunity afforded to the Collectivité to prevent waste from accumulating across the island.
"We cannot work anymore," several transporters said during Tuesday's protest.
Businesses frozen for more than two weeks
The consequences, according to the truckers, extend far beyond their own industry.
Construction companies, contractors, restaurants, businesses and homeowners continue generating waste, yet private haulers say they have nowhere to dispose of it.
Several operators explained that dumpsters have remained full since July 11, leaving clients unable to continue projects while contractors face mounting financial losses.
One transporter said customers have already begun threatening not to pay monthly invoices because the waste remains on their premises, even though transporters have been prevented from legally disposing of it.
Others warned that the closure has effectively halted their operations.
Without access to the landfill, they said they cannot empty containers, collect additional waste or continue servicing customers.
BTP Association throws support behind truckers
Although the BTP Association represents the construction sector, its president stressed that Tuesday's action was organized in solidarity with the transporters rather than over the association's own grievances.
The association warned that the inability of private operators to legally dispose of waste creates a serious environmental risk.
Representatives cautioned that if no immediate solution is found, increasing quantities of waste could eventually be dumped illegally along roadside or in undeveloped areas.
Their message to the authorities was clear: preventing legitimate disposal today could create a much larger public health and environmental crisis tomorrow.
Government accused of failing to plan
Protest leaders argued that the landfill reaching capacity should not have come as a surprise.
They questioned why authorities had not implemented contingency measures before Cell 10 became saturated.
According to speakers during the protest, waste management is an essential public service requiring long-term planning rather than emergency decisions after facilities become full.
One BTP representative said government should have anticipated the closure long before it occurred, noting that every resident, business and public institution produces waste and depends upon a functioning disposal system.
Emergency meeting requested
The convoy first assembled outside the Collectivité in Galisbay where representatives sought discussions with Vice-President Bernadette Davis and other officials.
The demonstrators then proceeded to the Prefecture requesting an emergency meeting involving State authorities.
According to the protesters, no response was received to their request.
With no immediate meeting secured, approximately ten trucks launched a slow-moving convoy through Marigot before heading toward the Hôtel de la Collectivité.
The operation significantly slowed traffic while drawing public attention to the dispute.
Finger-Pointing must end
Transporters expressed growing frustration over what they described as conflicting explanations regarding responsibility for the landfill closure.
According to those leading the protest, the Collectivité points to the Préfecture, the Préfecture points elsewhere, while the landfill operator maintains its own position.
Meanwhile, private companies remain unable to conduct business.
One spokesman summarized the situation by saying no authority appears willing to accept responsibility while entrepreneurs are left carrying the financial burden.
"We need answers today"
Several protesters emphasized that they had already sought dialogue well before taking to the streets.
One representative said requests for an emergency meeting had been submitted approximately ten days earlier but had gone unanswered, leaving the truckers with little choice but to organize Tuesday's demonstration.
Their immediate demand is straightforward: authorization to resume unloading accumulated waste while authorities work on a longer-term solution to the island's landfill capacity crisis.
Until then, they warn, businesses remain immobilized, projects remain stalled and waste continues accumulating across French St. Martin.
Tuesday's convoy served as a visible reminder that while the landfill crisis began with a full disposal cell, its consequences are now spreading throughout the island's economy.