Context:
In many Caribbean countries, biowaste accounts for more than half of their total waste. Biowaste consists of natural materials such as plants, animals or products made from them, and it is biodegradable. These countries usually send this waste to landfills or incinerate it, which releases climate-damaging methane and wastes valuable resources.
At the same time, sargassum algae which wash ashore in the Caribbean cause major environmental problems. They pollute beaches, threaten fisheries, disrupt tourism, produce strong odours and have harmful effects on the population’s health.
Ojective
The member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are increasingly harnessing biowaste and sargassum as a valuable resource, such as for biogas, biofertiliser or compost. By doing so, they are helping to lower methane emissions, conserve species diversity and promote forward-looking economic development in the region.
Approach
The project is improving the political conditions for making profitable use of biowaste and sargassum. To achieve this, it is advising the CARICOM Secretariat, CARICOM regional organisations and ministries in five member states on the development of strategies for dealing with waste and sargassum.
In addition, support for companies, communities and non-governmental organisations is provided through the promotion of ideas competitions. Participants develop innovative business models in relation to biowaste and sargassum.
In selected towns and communities, the project is implementing demonstration projects. As part of this, research organisations learn to develop and disseminate practical technologies. The project’s digital networks are also fostering dialogue within the CARICOM region.
