MP Francisco Lacroes proposes one-time vehicle disposal fee to help tackle car wrecks

GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes has submitted a motion calling on government to consider introducing a one-time environmental vehicle disposal contribution as part of the ongoing amendment of St. Maarten’s Waste Ordinance, arguing that taxpayers should not continue carrying the full cost of removing, processing and disposing of abandoned and end-of-life vehicles.

Lacroes presented the motion during the handling of the 2026 national budget in Parliament on August 25, saying abandoned vehicles and car wrecks continue to create environmental, public health, road safety and aesthetic concerns throughout St. Maarten. He said the recurring cost of removing and properly disposing of these vehicles requires a more sustainable approach.

According to Lacroes, responsibility for disposing of a vehicle should not fall entirely on taxpayers after that vehicle has been purchased and owned by an individual or business. He told Parliament that if someone purchases a vehicle, there should also be some responsibility attached to ensuring that it is properly disposed of when it is no longer usable.

The motion specifically recognizes that Articles 22 through 24 of St. Maarten’s Waste Ordinance contain provisions concerning vehicle wrecks and their disposal. It also acknowledges that government is already pursuing amendments to the Waste Ordinance and seeks to have the proposed vehicle disposal contribution considered as part of that existing legislative process rather than creating a separate or duplicate process.

Lacroes said he initially considered whether to propose a separate amendment dealing with car wrecks, but after learning that government was already working on revisions to the Waste Ordinance, he opted instead to bring a motion that could guide consideration of the issue within the legislation already being developed.

At the center of the motion is support for the introduction of a one-time environmental vehicle disposal contribution. Lacroes proposes that the contribution be attached to the vehicle itself and payable only once, rather than becoming a recurring annual charge on vehicle owners.

The motion further establishes as a guiding principle that proceeds generated through the contribution should be directed toward the disposal, recycling and processing of vehicles, as well as related environmental activities. Lacroes said such a mechanism could help offset the recurring public cost associated with removing and responsibly processing wrecked and end-of-life vehicles.

The motion states that the removal, processing, recycling and environmentally responsible disposal of these vehicles carry recurring costs and that a sustainable mechanism is therefore needed to contribute toward meeting those expenses. Lacroes believes a one-time contribution connected to each vehicle could provide part of that mechanism while ensuring that the cost is not carried exclusively by the general taxpayer.

The motion also formally brings the policy proposal to the attention of government for consideration as it continues work on amending the Waste Ordinance. It expresses Parliament’s support for considering the one-time contribution within that process and seeks to avoid duplicating legislative efforts already underway.

Additionally, Lacroes is requesting that government keep Parliament informed about the progress of the Waste Ordinance amendments and specifically report on any consideration given to the vehicle disposal contribution proposed in his motion.

Lacroes said his decision to address the issue followed repeated contact with the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure concerning garbage, car wrecks, sewage and other complaints raised by residents. He explained that he has regularly passed concerns from members of the public directly to the minister when residents believe their complaints have not reached the appropriate level.

The MP said the issue of abandoned vehicles also highlights the financial consequences of improper disposal. While government is often left with the responsibility of removing car wrecks from public areas, Lacroes maintained that the associated costs should not automatically be transferred entirely to taxpayers.

Through the motion, Lacroes is therefore asking government to incorporate consideration of a one-time, vehicle-linked contribution into its ongoing work on the Waste Ordinance, with funds aligned specifically with vehicle disposal, recycling, processing and related environmental responsibilities.