172
P. Kowlesser
7.4 Potential Waste Management Options in Mauritius
The Central Electricity Board recently launched a request for proposal document for
the setting-up of a waste-to-energy plant in Mauritius. Pending the outcome of the
evaluation exercise of the request for proposal documents, the following options may
be considered in future:
a. Implementation of a Solid Waste Management Strategy
Any country needs to have a clear vision with regards to how they intend to develop
their waste management system. This is possible through the development and
implementation of a solid waste management strategy with clear targets.
b. Waste segregation at source
To ensure a constant and homogenous feed to any subsequent processes (recycling
centre, compost plant, biogas plant), it is fundamental to adopt the practice of source
segregation. This will ensure that the waste materials going to a recycling centre or
compost are not contaminated and of high quality, thereby increasing the economic
viability of such processes.
c. Setting-up of a compost plant or a biogas plant
Considering that a high fraction of the MSW in Mauritius is organics, the setting-up
of a composting plant or biogas plant may be one of the most suitable options to
managing this huge waste fraction.
d. E-Waste management system
The government of Mauritius is currently embarking on a partnership with the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the setting-up of an e-waste management
system. This system will be based on the Extended Producer Responsibility and an
advanced recycling fee will be charged on selected e-goods. This fee will help fund
the whole e-waste management, including collection, dismantling and recycling of
e-wastes.
8 Conclusions
Solid waste management is a pressing issue worldwide and SIDS are no exception.
This article overviewed the status of solid waste management in SIDS with focus on
Mauritius. Many SIDS have not yet shifted towards sustainable waste management
approaches, with several among them still adopting illegal dumping and backyard
burning as their main waste disposal options. In addition, the 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.
Mauritius is one of the few SIDS that possesses a sanitary landfill properly equipped
with leachate and gas collection systems. In 2017, over 480,000 tons of solid wastes
P. Kowlesser
7.4 Potential Waste Management Options in Mauritius
The Central Electricity Board recently launched a request for proposal document for
the setting-up of a waste-to-energy plant in Mauritius. Pending the outcome of the
evaluation exercise of the request for proposal documents, the following options may
be considered in future:
a. Implementation of a Solid Waste Management Strategy
Any country needs to have a clear vision with regards to how they intend to develop
their waste management system. This is possible through the development and
implementation of a solid waste management strategy with clear targets.
b. Waste segregation at source
To ensure a constant and homogenous feed to any subsequent processes (recycling
centre, compost plant, biogas plant), it is fundamental to adopt the practice of source
segregation. This will ensure that the waste materials going to a recycling centre or
compost are not contaminated and of high quality, thereby increasing the economic
viability of such processes.
c. Setting-up of a compost plant or a biogas plant
Considering that a high fraction of the MSW in Mauritius is organics, the setting-up
of a composting plant or biogas plant may be one of the most suitable options to
managing this huge waste fraction.
d. E-Waste management system
The government of Mauritius is currently embarking on a partnership with the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the setting-up of an e-waste management
system. This system will be based on the Extended Producer Responsibility and an
advanced recycling fee will be charged on selected e-goods. This fee will help fund
the whole e-waste management, including collection, dismantling and recycling of
e-wastes.
8 Conclusions
Solid waste management is a pressing issue worldwide and SIDS are no exception.
This article overviewed the status of solid waste management in SIDS with focus on
Mauritius. Many SIDS have not yet shifted towards sustainable waste management
approaches, with several among them still adopting illegal dumping and backyard
burning as their main waste disposal options. In addition, the 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.
Mauritius is one of the few SIDS that possesses a sanitary landfill properly equipped
with leachate and gas collection systems. In 2017, over 480,000 tons of solid wastes