IDB-FEMSA Award 2020
Opportunity

Inter-American Development Banks seeks innovative solutions in water, sanitation, and solid waste

The 2020 Inter-American Development Bank-FEMSA award will grant US$10,000 to winning innovators in each of three categories: water, sanitation, and solid waste. The BID-FEMSA Award, granted by the IDB’s water and sanitation division and the FEMSA Foundation, recognizes each year the most innovative solutions with proven results to overcome deficiencies and challenges …

Trash's bottom. Photo: Paul Domenick
Opportunity

Plastic Waste Partnership photo contest

The Basel Convention Plastic Waste Partnership is holding a photo contest to raise awareness of the global plastic waste crisis: The contest welcomes entries from all walks of life: from amateur to professional photographers, of all ages. Through the contest, the Partnership wants to shine a light not only on …

Plastic bag. Image: Takoma Park
Solid waste

Guyana to ban single-use plastics by 2021

The government of Guyana has confirmed its intention to implement a systematic ban on single-use plastics by 2021: Minister of State, Joseph Harmon … said “the work has already begun on sensitising our population to the fact that 2021 is the date we have identified for a ban on single-use …

Plastics for recycling. Image: Lisa.
Solid waste

Private sector promotes recycling in the USVI

The St. John Source reports on how one business in the US Virgin Islands is partnering with non-governmental organisations and concerned citizens to encourage recycling:  When Plaza Extra owner Wille Hamed moved to St. Thomas from St. Croix in 1993, the Bovoni landfill was flat. “Now it’s 2018, and the …

St. Maarten landfill fire. Image: via St. Maarten Daily Herald.
Air pollution

St. Maarten landfill puts public health “in peril”

Following a recent Green Antilles post about the recurring fires at the Riverton landfill in Jamaica, a reader brought to my attention the ongoing landfill woes in St. Maarten. The most recent fire at the Pond Island landfill occurred just days ago, leading to public health advisories for communities nearby. …

Plastic bag. Image: Mitchell Haindfield
Solid waste

Government of Grenada announces ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics

The importation of Styrofoam has been banned with effect from September 1, 2018, and the sale of Styrofoam will be prohibited starting March 2, 2019. The importation of single-use plastic bags will be illegal as of February 1, 2019. Following additional consultation, other single-use plastics are also scheduled to be …

Styrofoam cup. Image: Alan Antiporda
Solid waste
1

Saint Lucia to ban the use of Styrofoam and plastic food service containers

Another Caribbean country has announced measures to phase out and ultimately prohibit single-use Styrofoam and plastics. From the St. Lucia Times: Saint Lucia plans to  phase-out  Styrofoam food service containers and plastics, both plates and cups, beginning December 1, 2018, with a total ban on their importation before the end …