Group photograph of participants of the first Training Course on Integrated Solid Waste Management

The University of the West Indies (UWI) hosts first Training Course on Integrated Solid Waste Management

Waste has been recognised as a cross-cutting global issue, the mis-management of which has direct implications for public health, environment, industry and the economy. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), of which the Caribbean countries are categorised, there is a disproportionately higher impact from improper waste management. Practitioners must therefore be well equipped to understand the existing and latent threats, and deploy appropriate measures to address these challenges.

It is in this regard that the University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine Campus hosted a Sustainable Integrated Solid Waste Management themed half-day symposium on March 2, 2020 and short course from March 2 to 6, 2020 for persons engaged in solid waste management across the Caribbean.  The focus was on providing participants with the requisite tools for assessing the level of sustainability of solid waste management systems and making recommendations for their improvement, with particular emphasis on the Caribbean landscape. This was achieved through a mix of lectures, interactive sessions, a field trip to Carib Glassworks Limited; a local glass recycling facility, and group presentations. 

Ms. Joanne Deoraj, Permanent Secretary, MPD,
delivering the feature address. 

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joanne Deoraj delivered the Feature Address at the Opening Ceremony of the Symposium, while at the training course, the Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD) was represented by Ms. Keima Gardiner, Waste Management Specialist and Ms. Tushara Maharaj, Environmental Engineering Specialist, both of the Environmental Policy and Planning Division. 

(L-R) Ms. T. Maharaj and Ms. K Gardiner showing off their certificate of participation
 represented the MPD