The protection and enhancement of the environment is essential to the maintenance of good health for residents and visitors. It is estimated that each person in Barbados generates approximately 0.9 kg of solid waste per day. This translates into an estimated 450 tonnes per day or 163,880 tonnes of solid waste per year. Major contributors include organic (non-yard waste) (33%), yard waste (26%), paper (20%), plastic (9%). As a result, Barbados is very concerned about the potential threats that this large amount of waste may pose to its environment.

Currently only a small percentage of waste is removed from the waste stream for recycling. The majority of the remaining waste is disposed of at the landfill. While Government is attempting to implement island-wide waste minimisation measures, the garbage problem is greatly exacerbated by improper waste disposal practices on the island. Residents and businesses alike manifest this in widespread littering and illegal dumping as well as the improper setting out of waste.

This module seeks to provide information on the preferred hierarchical approach to solid waste management. It stresses that good solid waste management requires integration of all the approaches outlined.

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