Solid Waste Management in Small Island Developing States, Specifically in Mauritius

Abstract

Solid waste management is a pressing issue worldwide and small islands developing states (SIDS) are no exception. While many SIDS are now moving towards sustainable waste management, several among these small island developing economies still adopt illegal dumping and backyard burning as their waste disposal option as they are unaware of the negative health and environmental impacts caused by these practices. Furthermore, lack of financial and technical means and land scarcity are some of the main barriers that hamper the development of an integrated and sustainable waste management system in SIDS. Among the different SIDS, Mauritius is one of the few small islands that possesses a sanitary landfill. In 2017, over 480,000 tons of solid wastes were disposed at the only landfill in Mauritius, located at Mare Chicose. Besides landfilling, recycling and home composting are being practised to some extent. The potential waste management options in Mauritius, based on the waste composition, include composting and anaerobic digestion with recycling representing another avenue for sustainable waste management. Nonetheless, a sustainable solid waste management strategy and action plan should be developed and implemented as this will be the cornerstone of the setting-up of any future waste management technology.