Management of Hazardous and Solid Wastes in Jamaica.

The Plan for the Management of Hazardous and Solid Wastes In Jamaica is a national Plan with a sectoral approach. The main objective of the Plan is to develop an efficient waste management to contribute to environmental sustainability.
It is stated that the ideal waste management which should be achieved by the implementation of this Plan is to prevent if not minimize the quantity of wastes and then to develop recycling techniques. The Plan sets forth that the pollution of drains, streams, wetlands, rivers and sea by uncollected solid wastes must be avoided. Illegal dumpsites will be prohibited. Collection of solid wastes in rural areas will be ensured to avoid burning of wastes as it is harmful for the environment and for human health. The National Solid Waste Management Authority will be strengthened by capacity building, particularly on landfill management techniques. Infrastructure such as access roads, office and perimeter fencing will be improved. NSWMA’s capacity for transporting waste will be enhanced. The cost of collection and disposal, as well as the cost of maintenance will be decreased. Budgetary allocation for the management of solid and hazardous wastes will be increased. The Plan also provides for the importance to get the community involved in order to reduce cost and increase efficiency. To this end communities will be integrally involved in waste prevention, separation and final disposal. The NSWMA will be empowered to enforce proper garbage disposal methods. Strategic partnership between NSWMA and the private sector and communities will be created. Methods and technology to deal with certain wastes such as electronic waste will be developed. The number of trained, technical personnel will be increased. Monitoring and control of commercial entities, which are responsible for the collection and disposal of their own solid waste, will be ensured. The separation of recyclable and re-useable solid waste will be promoted. The Plan further sets out that a study will be done to manage hazardous wastes according to their type. Special attention will be given to medical and electronic hazardous wastes. Recycling, special treatment and disposal systems will be developed and implemented. An inventory of hazardous chemicals will be established. The number of workshops given to industries on clean technologies will be increased. Waste management will be included in policies and new legislative documents. Study will be done to ensure collecting and disseminating reliable data regarding wastes.
The National Solid Waste Management Authority is an Agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development responsible from the implementation of this Policy regarding the collection, treatment and disposing of domestic solid waste.