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This ambitious initiative aims to promote waste reduction in the Caribbean region. In particular, by setting up a platform for referencing and sharing information, carrying out studies and creating recycling channels on a regional scale. Such is the nature of the inter-regional project entitled “Zero Waste in the Caribbean”, for which the Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy is organizing a major seminar from today, Thursday May 15, until Saturday. “The expectations are, on the one hand, to develop partnerships to effectively combat the proliferation of sargassum on our coasts and, on the other, to find recovery channels by territory to export or import waste according to the skills and situation of each,” writes the Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy in an online publication dated April 4.
Elected representatives, waste treatment platform managers and consultants from specialist organizations in sixteen territories will be taking part in the event. Santo Domingo, Dominica, Saint Lucia and all French Caribbean territories (including French Guiana) are involved in the project. Among those present will be Dominique Biras, President of the Syndicat de valorisation des déchets de la Guadeloupe (Syvade).
Syvade treats and recovers household waste from the Guadeloupe archipelago. It is a “syndicat mixte”, i.e. a public body that enables local authorities to join forces with each other or with other public bodies. This structure brings together Guadeloupe's communes and intercommunal bodies, whose mission is to treat household and similar waste. For Dominique Biras, the “Zero Waste in the Caribbean” project is designed to enable the region's islands to work “in a complementary way to manage resources”. He explains: “With this operation, we want to make the Caribbean a key player in waste processing and recovery, with our own resources and by pooling our skills. Saint-Barthélemy is a model of success in this area.
The circular economy as a lifeline
Sharing experience and skills now seems essential, but requires a method and objectives. This is the aim of the seminar organized this weekend in Saint-Barthélemy. For the President of Syvade, salvation will necessarily come through the establishment of a Caribbean-wide circular economy. It must be the key concept in pursuing this vision,” insists Dominique Biras. If we work together, we'll find solutions. When he talks about waste treatment and recovery, Dominique Biras refers to “resources”.
In Saint-Barthélemy, Paprec Energie's waste management site or “ecopole”, under the responsibility of the Ouanalao Environnement company, brings together two waste collection centers, a D3E (waste electrical and electronic equipment) workshop, a depollution center, another dedicated to composting and a third to sorting. Not to mention two energy recovery units, all on a small 1.5 hectare site. Over 20,000 tonnes of waste are processed here every year, including more than 13,000 tonnes at the waste-to-energy plant. A guided tour of the site will be given tomorrow, Friday, at 2 p.m.
