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Improving waste management and port waste reception in the Caribbean

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, Solid & Ship-Generated Waste Management Project – Preserving Paradise

Many of believe and would like to contunue to belive that the islands of the Caribbean are the closest thing to paradise. However, standards for the reduction, collection and proper storage and disposal of garbage in the OECS countries have been rated as poor to fair. It's hard to work in some neighbourhoods; there's a shortage of facilities and equipment for collection and disposal. The sea is also being polluted by garbage off the land and that dumped by ships. All of this threatens our health, our livelihood and the surrounding beauty.

To improve the waste management in general and the reception of ship-generated waste in particular the governments of six countries of the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) -- Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and StVincent & the Grenadines -- have set up an OECS Solid and Ship-Generated Waste Management Project. The project aims to reduce the amount of garbage generated in our homes and businesses and improve the collection and disposal of such garbage and of ship-generated solid waste.The project was conceived under the International Waters component of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), which recognises that the marine environment is heavily polluted with garbage, which threatens marine life, as well as being unsightly when it washes up on the beaches of tourism dependent countries of the region. Though much of that garbage originates from ships, a large percentage is derived from land-based sources which border the Caribbean Sea. Garbage knows no boundaries. That's why a regional solution is necessary. In addition, the OECS is complying with the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which sets specific recommendations for the disposal of ship-generated garbage.

As a result, waste management department in each countrys will be better equipped to handle the collection and disposal of garbage. In addition, existing landfills are being upgraded and new ones built. Programmes for reducing garbage, recycling, recovery and other methods are being developed. Laws relating to waste management are also being updated to ensure the maintenanceof high standards. Across the islands, locals will pay environmental levies or collection charges which will help to recover the cost of better service, while all air and sea visitors will pay a levy of US$1.50. The payback from improved waste management will be an improvement in the quality of life. A cleaner country means fewer health risks and less money spent on garbage. The project is funded by the governments, aided by a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the European Union, and loan and credits from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Agency (IBRD/IDA),the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the European Investment Bank.