Caribbean Environmental Health Institute The Morne, PO Box 1111, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: ; Fax: Web site: Evolution & Implementation of a Solid Waste Strategy, St. Lucia

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Introduction to St. Lucia

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Introduction to St. Lucia Small island developing state in Eastern Caribbean Population of 150,000 Capital city population of 60,000 (Castries) Other major town in south (Vieux Fort)

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Solid Waste Situation, 1994 Low public awareness of SW issues Improvements constrained by institutional issues, especially financial and technical Infrastructure poorly maintained and operated Management of int’l waste ineffective

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Solid Waste Situation, 1994 No articulated strategies or policies related to solid waste management (SWM) Fragmented responsibilities among City, Town, Village Councils, and Ministry of Health Number of pieces of legislation re. SWM

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Solid Waste Situation, 1994 Much of population not served by collection system Vehicles hauling waste not appropriate or up to standard and enforcement lacking Litter clearance a low priority Removal of animal carcasses inadequate

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Solid Waste Situation, 1994 Many dumps scattered around island Poorly located and operated “Scavengers”/salvagers on sites Limited cover material used Regular burning was a part of site “management”, as a rule

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken Participated in Sub-regional (OECS) Solid & Ship-Generated Waste Management Project (the “Project”) Funded by World Bank ( ) and Caribbean Development Bank ( ) Government of St. Lucia also contributed $

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken - Policy National Waste Disposal Strategy, 1997 Contracting Strategy for Solid Waste Disposal Site Operation (Short-term), 1997 Solid Waste Collection Strategy, 1997 Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee, 1999 Policy for Shore-Generated Waste, 2000 Policy for Ship-Generated Waste, 2000

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken - Policy National Waste Disposal Strategy: Improve practices over time Replace existing site operations with sanitary landfill techniques Operate two sites (North and South) Upgrade southern site to serve for 20 years Phased closure of northern site; build new SLF to last 25 years

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – Legal/Institutional Establishment of Solid Waste Management Authority (SLSWMA), 1997 Councils relieved of responsibilities re. collection & disposal Waste Management Act drafted Marine Pollution Act drafted Litter Act to be repealed

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – Waste Collection Collection expanded to include ALL areas Collection privatized and stringent performance contracts issued Community bins provided where curbside collection not possible Bulky waste and litter included in contracts

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – Waste Disposal Poorly operated dumps closed 20 illegal dump sites remediated by contractors AND 2 by perpetrators Main sites in Ciceron (Castries) and Vieux Fort upgraded to sanitary landfill standards (by 1998) and site operation contracts issued Ciceron eventually closed in 2003 New SLF site opened at Deglos for Castries and environs

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Waste (tonnes) Disposed of at Ciceron and Vieux Fort Solid Waste Disposal Sites Site 4/ 00 – 3/01 4/01 – 3/02 4/02 – 3/ 03 Ciceron 56,928 49,603 43,815 V. Fort 26,24924,06123,270 Source: SLSWMA Annual Report 2002/3

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – Ship-Generated Waste St. Lucia signs MARPOL and drafts legislation Modest reception facilities placed at main ports and marinas Improved monitoring of ship’s Waste Record Books by Ministry of Health

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – Bio-hazardous Waste Bio-hazardous Waste Management Strategy developed Includes ALSO asbestos, waste oil, lead- acid batteries and spent agro-chemicals Lead-acid batteries collected at garages etc. Waste oil collected at various points Biomedical waste plans being implemented

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – 4 Rs Limited waste diversion Tyres diverted at Deglos SLF, shredded and used as fill (256 tonnes in 7 months) Environmental levy imposed on certain items, which is refunded upon export Returnable Containers Act proposed by Prime Minister in 2003 budget

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Actions taken – Public Awareness/Education Sustained public awareness programmes introduced, using mascots, logos, brochures, newsletters, posters, videos, radio programmes, newspaper columns and Public Service Announcements Alliances forged with multiples partners, including CBOs and private sector National Clean-up Activities

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Cost of Operations Expenses grew from US$600,000 in 1995 to US$4M by 2002/03 (incl. Admin $0.4M; Collection $2.3M; Landfill $1M) Environmental levy of US$1.50/cruise passenger generates 30% of revenue needed Small revenue from recycling & ship waste Remainder of costs subsidized by Gov’t

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Cost Recovery Proposed tipping fee not instituted Cost recovery plan before Government for consideration Includes household levy on property tax Includes levy on specific imported goods (cars; tyres; disposable containers; packaging) Proposes future levy on agrochemicals etc

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Conclusions Establishment of SLSWMA served as catalyst for development of waste management policies & strategies SWM practices standardized across island Collection and disposal services vastly improved SWM now a relatively high profile issue Low level of waste minimization

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute The Way Forward Address additional hazardous waste streams Support enforcement of Litter Act etc. Utilize data generated to inform decisions Introduce new COST RECOVERY measures Clarify roles of agencies and build capacity Focus on WASTE REDUCTION/Diversion Increase public awareness & education

Caribbean Environmental Health Institute Thank you for your time!!