Rodrigues- Waste Management

Overview of Waste Management in Rodrigues

Rodrigues faces unique challenges in waste management due to its isolated location, limited land availability, and growing tourism industry. Effective waste management is essential for maintaining the island’s environmental integrity, public health, and sustainability. The waste sector in Rodrigues includes household waste collection, recycling initiatives, composting efforts, and landfill disposal.

In 2020, Rodrigues generated approximately 86 tons of waste per week, with a population of 43,819. A shift from consuming locally produced goods to imported ones has altered waste composition and increased management challenges. As of 2011, all non-hazardous waste was directed to the Roche Bon Dieu landfill, which was nearing full capacity at the time.  The increase in consumerism and preference for imported goods over local products is altering waste composition, complicating waste management strategies. The shift in consumption patterns necessitates updated approaches to handling the changing types and volumes of waste produced.

1. Household Waste Collection and Frequency
Household waste collection in Rodrigues follows an organized schedule managed by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) in collaboration with the Commission for Environment, Public Infrastructure, and Climate Change.

Collection Method: Waste is primarily collected using door-to-door services and community waste bins placed in strategic locations across villages. Households are encouraged to separate their waste to facilitate recycling and composting.
Collection Frequency:
General waste: Collected twice a week in most residential areas.
Recyclables (plastic, paper, glass, and metal): Collected on a scheduled basis, depending on the locality.
Organic waste: Some areas promote household composting, while others have collection points for organic waste.
Collection Vehicles: Waste is transported using compactor trucks and open-back lorries, which serve different routes on the island.
2. Waste Sorting and Recycling Initiatives
Rodrigues has limited recycling facilities, but efforts have been made to promote waste sorting at the source and export recyclable materials to Mauritius.

Plastic, Glass, and Metal: Dedicated collection bins are available in some public areas. Recyclable materials are sent to Mauritius for processing.
Organic Waste and Composting: Given the island’s strong agricultural traditions, there is an increasing push toward composting organic waste for soil enrichment. Some composting facilities exist, and households are encouraged to compost kitchen and garden waste.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) and Hazardous Waste: E-waste collection points are limited, and hazardous waste (such as batteries and medical waste) is managed through specialized collection and disposal.
3. Landfill and Final Waste Disposal
Rodrigues currently relies on a controlled landfill for waste disposal.

Location: The island has a single landfill site for final disposal.
Challenges: The limited land space means waste reduction and recycling are critical to extending the landfill’s lifespan.
Waste-to-Energy Possibilities: There have been discussions on alternative waste disposal methods, such as biogas production from organic waste.

Medical Waste Handling

Medical waste management in Rodrigues is quite limited, with most of the waste being handled through a single incineration facility at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Environment Division has minimal involvement in the process, and the hospital takes primary responsibility for disposal. However, the incinerator itself isn’t always reliable, facing operational challenges from time to time, which can lead to temporary storage issues or delays in proper disposal.

Medical waste includes everything from used syringes, bandages, and expired medications to biological waste from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. In theory, there’s a system in place for segregation at source, where hazardous waste is separated from general healthcare waste before disposal. But in practice, this isn’t always strictly followed, especially in smaller healthcare facilities that may not have the right infrastructure or trained personnel.

When the incinerator is functional, medical waste is burned at high temperatures to minimize risks, but breakdowns can sometimes mean waste accumulates, requiring alternative solutions like temporary storage. There’s no dedicated landfill for medical waste, and improper disposal could pose environmental and health risks, especially if hazardous materials mix with regular waste.

Another challenge is waste transportation. With only one main hospital and scattered health centers, getting medical waste from different points across the island to the incinerator can be a logistical issue, especially in rural areas. Some smaller clinics may resort to on-site disposal methods, which may not always follow best practices.

There is definitely room for improvement in Rodrigues’ medical waste management system. More consistent monitoring, better enforcement of waste segregation rules, regular maintenance of the incinerator, and possibly exploring alternative disposal methods (like autoclaving for certain types of waste) could help. Public and healthcare staff awareness on safe handling and disposal also needs attention. Without a long-term plan, the risk of environmental contamination and public health concerns from mismanaged medical waste remains an issue.

E-Waste Waste Handling

E-waste management in Rodrigues is still quite basic, mainly relying on temporary storage because there aren’t any proper recycling facilities on the island. Right now, electronic waste like old computers, phones, and appliances are just stored in containers until they can be shipped to Mauritius for recycling. But this isn't a smooth process—exports are irregular, and transport costs are high, making it an inefficient system. Some people still throw e-waste in regular trash, which is a problem since it contains hazardous materials like lead and mercury that can contaminate the environment.

There are a few collection points for e-waste, but coverage is pretty limited, and not everyone knows about them. Public awareness is a big issue—many people don’t really know how to dispose of electronic waste properly, so it sometimes ends up being dumped illegally, especially in remote areas. The Rodrigues Regional Assembly oversees waste collection, but without a dedicated e-waste processing facility, options are very limited.

A better system would include more organized collection points across the island, stronger public awareness campaigns, and better coordination with Mauritius-based recycling firms. Maybe even setting up a small-scale dismantling and sorting unit in Rodrigues itself could help reduce costs before shipping materials out for final recycling. Also, having clear policies and regulations would help push businesses and households to dispose of their e-waste properly.

Right now, though, e-waste management in Rodrigues is more of a temporary fix than a long-term solution. More structured strategies are needed to make it a sustainable process, both for the environment and for efficient waste handling.

Wastewater Management and Environmental Impact

Many households use modern sanitation systems with absorption pits for liquid waste disposal. Cesspool emptier trucks manage septic systems, directing waste to a wastewater treatment plant at Grenade. There are concerns about untreated effluent seeping into the ground and potentially contaminating aquifers, though a comprehensive study to assess these impacts has not yet been conducted.  Due to the island's hilly terrain, constructing a sewer network is reported to be impractical.  

Challenges and Future Plans

The absence of a designated landfill and reliance on an open dumping site since the 1990s have led to occasional fire outbreaks, causing air quality issues and nuisances to surrounding villages. There is limited expertise in managing hazardous waste, including expired paints, chlorine, and chemicals. Efforts to collect and export used batteries for recycling are underway, but electronic waste management remains inadequate.

Rodrigues faces several challenges in waste management:

• Limited recycling facilities: Most recyclables need to be shipped to Mauritius, increasing costs.
• Growing waste production: Tourism and economic development contribute to increased waste generation.
• Illegal dumping and littering: Despite awareness campaigns, some remote areas still experience illegal waste disposal.
• Climate vulnerability: Waste management infrastructure is at risk from cyclones and extreme weather events.

To address these issues, future plans include:

• Expanding waste separation programs and increasing recycling facilities.
• Promoting community composting to reduce organic waste.
• Strengthening public awareness on sustainable waste management.
• Exploring renewable waste-to-energy solutions to reduce landfill dependency.

Institutional and Regulatory Challenges

The institutions responsible for waste management face significant challenges, including a lack of capacity and issues with enforcing regulations against illegal dumping. There is an urgent need for a holistic approach to manage both solid and liquid waste effectively. This includes establishing monitoring systems for aquifer and seawater quality and developing well-designed facilities for solid waste management. The absence of baseline data impedes the establishment of appropriate environmental standards, while a lack of specialized waste management units hinders focused initiatives.

Circular Waste Management

Currently, Rodrigues does not have a fully established circular waste management system, but there are some elements of circularity in its waste management practices. The island still largely relies on linear waste management, where waste is collected, stored, and either sent to landfill or exported to Mauritius for recycling. However, a few initiatives align with circular economy principles, particularly in organic waste composting, recycling, and reusing materials.

Existing Circular Waste Management Elements in Rodrigues

1. Organic Waste and Composting

   • Composting is encouraged at the household level as well as in agricultural activities to reduce organic waste going to landfills.
   • Farmers use composted waste to improve soil quality, creating a small loop within the local agricultural sector.
   • However, scaling up composting initiatives and increasing community participation remains a challenge.

2. Plastic and Glass Recycling

   • Rodrigues has some waste separation initiatives, particularly for plastic and glass.
   • Collection bins for recyclables are available in certain public areas, but there is no local recycling facility.
   • Most recyclable materials are exported to Mauritius, which increases costs and reduces overall efficiency.

3. Reusing and Upcycling

   • Some small businesses and community groups repurpose materials, such as using glass bottles and tires for construction or decoration.
   • Efforts have been made to reduce single-use plastics, but enforcement is still weak.

4. E-Waste Handling

   • Electronic waste is stored temporarily before being sent to Mauritius for recycling.
   • There is no local dismantling or reuse initiative, meaning valuable materials from e-waste are lost in transit costs.

5. Potential for Circular Economy Expansion

   • Rodrigues could benefit from a better waste separation system and the development of small-scale recycling facilities.
   • Expanding waste-to-energy or biogas production from organic waste could help reduce landfill dependence.
   • Public awareness and policy measures could strengthen circular waste initiatives, making waste management more sustainable.

While circular waste management is not fully in place, Rodrigues has taken steps toward reducing, reusing, and recycling certain waste streams. However, major gaps exist, especially in local recycling infrastructure, waste segregation, and sustainable waste processing. A more structured waste management policy focusing on circular economy principles could significantly improve waste sustainability on the island.

Waste Management Strategies

• Rodrigues requires a comprehensive strategy to manage both solid and liquid waste effectively, including the development of well-designed facilities and specialized units dedicated to waste management initiatives.
• Rodrigues is committed to becoming a "Zero Waste Island" by 2030 through comprehensive waste management strategies that encourage sustainable practices and community participation. The island has established foundational regulations, including the RRA (Dumping and Waste Carriers) Regulations of 2005 and the RRA (Collection of Refuse) Regulations of 2008, to streamline waste collection and management processes.
• The measures below are part of a broader strategy to improve waste management practices, reduce environmental impact, and foster sustainability in Rodrigues. Each initiative addresses specific waste streams and challenges, contributing to the island's goal of becoming a "Zero Waste Island" by 2030. Further efforts are needed to overcome challenges in enforcement and to manage the environmental impact of imported products.
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• Key Initiatives and Practices

• The Regional Authorities in Rodrigues have implemented several strategic measures to address waste management challenges and improve environmental sustainability.  

• 1. Green Waste Management

• Location: Oyster Bay Green Waste Shredding site.
• Process: Treatment of green waste occurs with the shredded material made available for public use in composting or mulching. There are ongoing efforts to ensure that no green waste reaches dumping sites.

• 2. Prohibition of Plastic Bags

• Since: 2014
• Outcome: Significant reduction in single-use plastic bags, moving Rodrigues towards becoming an ecological island.
• Challenges: Despite the ban, excessive packaging from imported products continues to contribute to plastic waste.

• 3. Waste Segregation at Source

• Implementation: Across all households in Rodrigues.
• Details: Separate collections for PET, metal, and glass bottles. Ongoing community-wide education and infrastructure development for segregating cans, tins, and aluminum.

• 4. Recycling PET Plastics

• Partnership: Collaboration with local recyclers and the Commission for Environment.
• Process: PET plastics are transported to Mauritius for recycling, emphasizing the maximization of recycling efforts.

• 5. Electronic Waste Management

• Initiative: Part of the Switch Africa Green project.
• Goal: Explore and implement sustainable disposal and recycling options for electronic waste, including potential partnerships with recycling companies in Mauritius.

• 6. Used Oil Recycling

• Partnership: Agreement with Eco Fuel in Mauritius.
• Objective: Facilitate the treatment and recycling of used oil. Efforts are being made to ensure motor garages comply with proper disposal methods.

• 7. Regulatory Enforcement

• Authority: Department of Environment.
• Function: Issues permits for the disposal of large volumes of waste, though challenges remain in enforcement effectiveness.

• 8. Liquid Waste Management

• Project: Construction of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 50 cubic meters per day, operational since 2023.
• Objective: Improve the management of liquid waste, reducing the environmental impact of untreated effluents.

• 9. Bio-Digester Project

• Sponsor: Indian Ocean Commission.
• Technology: Utilization of bio-digesters that convert animal and human waste into biogas, promoting renewable energy sources and reducing organic waste.
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Policy orientation and related strategies for waste management in Rodrigues 

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1

• Develop an integrated solid waste management strategy.
• Adopt “Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover” as principles.

2

• Develop a liquid waste management strategy.
• Strengthen water and wastewater quality monitoring and enforcement.
• Conduct research to determine the impact of liquid waste on the environment.

3

• Devise awareness campaigns through appropriate media outlets.
• Hold regular workshops, seminars and short courses.

4

• Construct a landfill.
• Provide water treatment plants in public facilities.

5

• Review the Rodrigues Environment sub-committee.