Evolution & Implementation of a Solid Waste Strategy, St. Lucia

Evolution & Implementation of a Solid Waste Strategy, St. Lucia Caribbean Environmental Health Institute The Morne, PO Box 1111, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 758 452-2501; Fax: 758 453-2721 Email: cehi@candw.lc; Web site: www.cehi.org.lc

Introduction to St. Lucia Caribbean Environmental Health Institute

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) Introduction to St. Lucia 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 (1996-2003) and Caribbean Development Bank (1996-2004) • 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 Site4/00 – 3/014/01 – 3/024/02 – 3/ 03 Ciceron 56,928 49,603 43,815 V. Fort 26,249 24,061 23,270 • 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!! Caribbean Environmental Health Institute

Evolution & Implementation of a Solid Waste Strategy, St. Lucia