Spring cleanup in Sjøområdet
Vehicles and scrap metal have been dumped in several places in Longyearbyen over time. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (NFD), the Governor and the Longyearbyen Local Council (LL) are now taking initiative to clean up, starting with an area in “Sjøområdet” (see photo sketch).
- Longyearbyen will be an even more pleasant city if it is tidy around us. We are therefore taking the initiative for a clean-up campaign in Sjøområdet. This is a popular recreational area for the city's population, and also an area that is used for summer graduations by the city's schools and kindergartens. We ask that everyone who has left or stored things on the relevant area in Sjøområdet to participate. We also remind you that those who have a ground lease agreement with us in the Lake Area are obliged to keep the site tidy, say Thorunn K. Bakke and Steinar Vaadal, land managers at NFD's office in Longyearbyen.
Stored items must be removed by 15 May
Anything left after 15 May will be considered abandoned. The Governor is asking everyone who has stored items in the area to contribute to the spring cleanup.
- Much of what is left behind is litter and can also be dangerous to both humans and animals. We ask everyone who has stored anything down in Sjøområdet to remove it by 15 May. Scooters, cars, sleds, trailers, jugs and other things that are not picked up by the deadline will end up at “Miljøstasjonen” at Hotellneset. What is not picked up will later be sent to the mainland for recycling, says Magnus Jakola-Fjeld, pollution advisor at the Governor.
At Miljøstasjonen at Hotellneset, both private individuals and businesses can deliver waste and vehicles. This is free of charge for private individuals.
- Miljøstasjonen is open every weekday and accepts waste from private and business customers. You can also get help with collecting discarded cars and scooters, says Anne Vera Skrivarhaug, Sector Manager Community Development at LL.
The scooter parking at Blåmyra and along Elvesletta (see map) also has space for scooters that need seasonal storage. It is important to park in such a way that there is room for as many scooters as possible. LL is also considering setting aside more areas for scooter parking.
