The waste sector in Mauritius is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily from solid waste disposal (66.11%) and wastewater treatment and discharge (32.67%). Other minor contributors include the biological treatment of solid waste (1.09%) and incineration/open burning (0.13%).
The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Action Plan 2021-2030 outlines key strategies to reduce emissions through waste diversion, recycling, and energy recovery.
Mauritius is taking bold steps to reduce landfill dependency, enhance recycling, and explore waste-to-energy solutions. The implementation of composting, anaerobic digestion, and WTE technologies will significantly lower emissions from the waste sector while promoting a more circular and sustainable waste economy.
Key Mitigation Actions:
Diversion of 70% of Waste from Landfills by 2030
- Expanding composting plants and anaerobic digestion (AD) systems.
- Establishing waste sorting units to separate recyclables and organic waste.
- Developing waste-to-energy (WTE) plants to convert non-recyclable waste into energy.
Improved Wastewater Management
- Adoption of low-carbon wastewater treatment technologies.
- Increased household sewerage connectivity from the current level to 80% by 2033 under the National Sewerage Programme (NSP).
Enhancing Recycling and Resource Recovery
- Implementing municipal solid waste segregation at source.
- Promoting industrial symbiosis to create a circular economy where waste from one industry becomes raw material for another.
- Scaling up plastic, paper, and metal recycling, which is currently export-dependent.
Waste-to-Energy (WTE) and Sustainable Disposal
- Using anaerobic digestion for low-lignin content food waste to generate biogas.
- Incinerating inorganic waste that cannot be composted or digested, ensuring proper waste segregation at source.
Development of a New Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy
- The Solid Waste Management Division is leading efforts to redesign Mauritius’ waste management approach, ensuring a shift to a more sustainable and efficient system.
