Rebuilding Smarter: Waste Management Infrastructure in Small Island Developing States

Why Waste Management Matters More on Small Islands

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique problems with waste. Their size makes landfills limited. Their location means everything costs more to ship in—and harder to ship out. Most rely on tourism and imports, yet few have proper systems to manage the waste that comes with it.

According to the World Bank, SIDS generate more than 2.3 kg of waste per person each day, which is almost double the global average. Most of that waste ends up in open dumps. That causes pollution, attracts pests, and leaks into the ocean.

“The waste doesn’t just go away,” said one local engineer in Saint Lucia. “It piles up. And when a hurricane comes through, that pile becomes dangerous.”

The Problem Isn’t the People—It’s the System

Many SIDS have laws on the books. They have recycling bins. They even have skilled workers. But they lack long-term planning, consistent funding, and updated equipment. Most rely on donor support. When the grants stop, so does the progress.

In some islands, trucks used to collect waste are 20 years old. Parts are hard to find. In others, sorting facilities were built but never maintained. People want to do better, but the system works against them.

Roger E. Merritt Jr. has worked with waste management infrastructure in both wealthy counties and fragile island communities. “What I learned is that you can’t just copy-paste systems from large countries into small islands,” he said. “They need their own custom solutions that are built for what they have—not what we think they should have.”

Getting Smarter with Infrastructure

To fix waste in SIDS, we need to change the way we think about infrastructure. It’s not just about trucks and landfills. It’s about planning for the next 30 years—not just the next 3.

1. Prioritize Multi-Use Infrastructure

Space is limited on islands. So waste management facilities must do more than one job. A single solid waste facility can sort recyclables, compost organics, and process general waste. 

Instead of separate collection for everything, use modular transfer stations where sorting happens once—cutting down time, fuel, and labour.

2. Train Local Talent

Imported systems break when imported workers leave. It’s better to invest in training local engineers, technicians, and planners.

Offer exchange programs with universities. Run short-term certifications with agencies like the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA). Create scholarships for environmental studies.

Merritt said, “In the Virgin Islands, one of the most effective things we did was pair young staff with experienced contractors and staff during storm recovery. They learned quickly—and are now prepared for any future storms."

3. Create Pay-as-You-Throw Models

Many islands fund waste collection through general taxes, but that hides the true cost. A pay-as-you-throw model helps residents understand their impact. It also rewards those who reduce waste.

Barbados has begun piloting such a system. Households that separate organics pay less. Early results show a 15% drop in landfill waste.

4. Design for Hurricanes

Solid waste becomes hazardous during storms. SIDS need storm-resilient landfills and transfer stations, compost areas with proper drainage, and emergency clean-up plans. Backup power, fuel storage, and mobile collection units should be standard.

FEMA reports that 60% of post-storm injury sites in the Caribbean are due to debris mismanagement. That can be prevented with better design.

5. Support a Circular Economy

Imported goods flood islands. But few are reused or repurposed. Islands should promote local circular systems: composting food waste, crushing glass into sand for construction, or recycling plastics into building materials.

The Dominican Republic has launched a project turning plastic bottles into school desks—a small but scalable example.

Funding the Fix

Money is always the question. Many SIDS don’t have deep budgets. But smarter planning saves money long-term.

Merritt helped Prince George’s County in Maryland cut $30 million in unnecessary costs by reviewing consultant spending and reviewing landfill capital improvement projects. “That kind of savings doesn’t require more money. It requires better systems,” he said.

For islands, the approach is the same. Start with a proper waste audit. Use GIS tools to optimize routes. Work with regional banks like the Caribbean Development Bank to access grants tied to performance—not just promise.

What Anyone Can Do

You don’t have to be a government official to help. Residents, tourists, and businesses all play a part.

Residents can:

• Separate recyclables and organics at home.
  

• Join community clean-ups.
  

• Use reusable bags and containers.
  

Tourists can:

• Avoid single-use plastics.
  
  

• Respect local waste management systems.
  
  

• Ask hotels about their sustainability practices.
  
  

Businesses can:

• Reduce packaging.
  

• Offer recycling options to customers.
  

• Donate materials for reuse or repurposing.
  

Every little action counts. One less bottle. One more compost bin. One smarter system.

Smarter Starts Small

Fixing waste in Small Island Developing States isn’t about building giant plants or importing shiny tech. It’s about simple, durable solutions that fit the island—not the other way around.

Merritt puts it best: “The smartest infrastructure isn’t the most expensive. It’s the one that works every day—even when the power’s out and the road is washed away.”

With good planning, better training, and local action, SIDS can rebuild smarter. Not just for today, but for the next generation.