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."