Circular Options for Jamaica’s Solid Waste Sector: A Systems Perspective

Abstract

Policies of controlled disposal of solid waste have caused the emergence of large, unstructured disposal sites which pollute the environment through the release of leachate and greenhouse gasses. As concern for the climate and environment mounts, many low- and middle-income countries will need to transition into more circular solid waste management strategies. In Jamaica, policy makers have long been looking to reform the waste sector and introduce waste to energy technology through a public-private partnership. While considered effective in road infrastructure projects, private sector participation has met with mixed success, even social resistance, in the areas of sanitation and water provision. Through interviews with concerned stakeholders, as well as the application of frameworks for systems thinking, this study aimed to provide a systems perspective on the state of solid waste management in Jamaica, and on the possible role of a public-private partnership. The study finds that the partnership could contribute substantially towards effective waste collection and disposal, but must be combined with recycling incentives and purposeful environmental legislation in order to achieve long-term success in the areas of value recovery and environmental protection. Participatory governance policies and mechanisms are found to be essential for sustainable solid waste management. These results can inform coming debates regarding private sector participation in countries facing similar challenges.