Dominica has been positioned to stage the Recycle Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) model demonstration project.
This was according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of The Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), Rhoda St. John.
Dominica, along with Grenada met the criteria and was deemed most ready and viable for that purpose.
“Dominica has been positioned to stage the Recycle OECS model demonstration project,” St John said. “This was revealed on June 7, by Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel Head of the OECS Environmental Sustainability Division during the unveiling on the eve of World Ocean’s Day.”
She said the project is aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the OECS.
“The two-year project supports the broader European Union zero waste initiative in the Caribbean program which aims to strengthen the EU Caribbean partnership in the field of circular economy and solid waste management,” St John explained.
According to her, there is an existing recycling program in Dominica.
Furthermore, she said that this initiative will help to strengthen the project and to assist greatly with the recycling initiative.
St John also mentioned the four areas of concentration which are institutional framework, legislation, technical support, and financial and public awareness, while the two major outputs are public policy dialogue and public awareness engagement on all levels, “Social media, community levels, stakeholders engagement, private sector schools, to name a few.”
She strongly believes that separating waste at the source remains key in recycling.
The Recycle OECS project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the OECS Commission in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The two-year project supports the broader European Union Zero Waste initiative in the Caribbean Programme, which aims to strengthen the EU-Caribbean partnership for cooperation in the field of circular economy and solid waste management.
Honestly it is only talk and more talk about the banning of plastic. The neighboring French countries are way ahead because they are serious about it. If one goes to the supermarkets without your bags you go out with your groceries in your hands. In Dominica all the supermarkets give out hundreds of plastic bags daily with no restrictions so how are we eliminating. We have to start somewhere and be serious. Not just seminars and talk.
Why was Dominica chosen? Because too much rubbish going on around the island.