STAKEHOLDERS MAP OUT NEW WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING STRATEGIES

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, August 28, 2026 (SKNIS): New strategies to enhance waste management and recycling processes and systems across Saint Kitts and Nevis, were discussed on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a half-day workshop held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Public sector officials from the Federal Government and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) representing health, environment, physical planning, Bureau of Standards, and waste collection took a critical and honest look at the waste management landscape, identified key gaps and challenges faced, and suggested practical recommendations to improve short-term efficiency, while charting a long-term development path forward. Staff from the local Republic of China (Taiwan) Technical Mission and the Taiwan Embassy also contributed to the consultations.

Much of the discussion was based on information from an extensive data collection and analysis waste management and recycling report compiled by their colleagues from Taiwan over a one year period. To date, Saint Kitts and Nevis has exported more than 580,000 pounds of plastics and other materials to be recycled in Taiwan.

Deputy Counselor, Ken-Chuan, Yang of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), noted that Taiwan, as a Small Island State, has a long history of recycling. “We are very pleased to share our experiences with our best friends,” he stated. 

Derionne Edmeade, Director of the Department of Environment, indicated that recycling will continue to play an extremely important role in any waste management policy. He indicated that it “warms his heart” to see the behavioural change of supermarket shoppers, who five years ago would leave with multiple t-shirt plastic bags. Today, persons carry reusable bags for groceries.

“Effective waste management is not the responsibility of any one institution. It requires coordination, innovation, investment, and the active participation of sectors across society,” he said. “From the beginning of the project in 2021, to the progress we have made in 2026, the journey has demonstrated what we can achieve when we work together.”

Strategies shared from today’s session will address the current challenges faced in waste management and also create a more efficient and sustainable approach for generations to come.

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