Haiti's Waste Management Project

According to poverty charity Tearfund, 400 thousand to 1 million individuals die annually in developing countries because of diseases caused by poorly managed waste. We don’t have an estimation for Haiti, but we know the number would be alarming. Some people claim that It’s the responsibility of the local authorities to guarantee that trash is being managed in a good way in the community. But are they doing a good job? Can we expect them to do a good job if we put more pressure on them? We can be sure they are not doing a good job because trash is everywhere on our streets. It’s unsure that they will do a good job soon either because of the obvious lack of resources. Especially when we know that, according to the World Bank, efficient waste management comes at a high cost, often accounting for 20% to 50% of municipal budgets. So we need to look for alternative short-term solutions. Let's analyze first the negative impacts of Haiti's ineffective waste handling and then go through a solution that can quickly be implemented. 

Mismanaged waste poses significant challenges to both humans and the environment, with consequences that extend beyond local communities to global ecosystems. As populations expand and urbanization accelerates, the volume of waste generated continues to rise and their negative impacts become more alarming. Among all the impacts, let's analyze three of them.

Health risks 

Inadequate waste management practices result in the accumulation of waste in open areas or improper disposal sites can pose significant health risks. Those risks are first because trash attracts insect and rodent vectors, fostering the transmission of diseases. The garbage contains a lot of microorganisms, including bacteria, which serve as pathogens capable of causing illnesses such as diarrhea, typhoid, or cholera. These pathogens propagate through flies or other organisms that feed on the waste. The World Health Organization stated that 9792 people died of cholera from October 2010 to February 2019 in Haiti. There are still more victims today. According to the National Library of Medicine (2017), many other health issues can be linked to mismanaged waste such as respiratory problems, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal issues, muscle pain, fever, headache, fatigue, irritation of eyes and skin, mechanical trauma, pulmonary problems, chronic bronchitis, musculoskeletal damage and hearing loss, poor emotional well-being, and other specific types of injuries.

Environmental concerns

Improperly disposed waste can have many bad consequences on the environment. The main negative impact is the contamination of air, water, and soil, leading to pollution of natural ecosystems. Those wastes can also lead to the emission of greenhouse gases, which increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, resulting in the heating up of our environment. The most common negative impact that we see in Haiti is when Improper disposal of waste, such as plastic bags, bottles, and other debris clogs stormwater drains. Blocked drainage systems are less effective in managing rainfall-runoff, increasing the risk of urban flooding during heavy rains.

Deterioration of ecosystem aesthetics

The deterioration of ecosystem aesthetics in Haiti poses a significant obstacle to fully realizing the country's tourism potential. We all know how beautiful Haiti can be, but improper waste disposal has led to the degradation of beaches, rivers, and other natural attractions, diminishing their visual appeal and recreational value. The proliferation of garbage dumps in every corner of our largest city also degrades the aesthetic appeal of urban environments. Cities like Cap Haitian and Port-au-Prince could be way more attractive, but the presence of garbage dumps deter their tourists and potential investors, as they convey an image of environmental degradation and poor sanitation.

When government initiatives are ineffective or insufficient, active involvement and collaboration within the community become essential to address pressing issues and drive positive change. The recent construction of the Ouanaminthe Canal serves as a powerful illustration of this principle in action. Through collaborative efforts involving residents, community leaders, and various stakeholders, the project was planned, funded, and executed, demonstrating the power of grassroots mobilization and collective action. The waste issue in Haiti can similarly be addressed through the establishment of a dedicated non-profit organization tailored specifically for this purpose. 

The idea is simple: establish a nationwide non-profit organization with community-based groups committed to eliminating waste from our streets. Its key areas of focus can include:

• Public awareness campaigns: To educate the population about the importance of waste reduction, proper waste disposal, recycling practices, and the environmental impacts of waste accumulation. These campaigns can utilize various platforms such as social media, educational programs, community events, etc. 

• Law enforcement: To create more regulations and laws related to waste management in Haiti. Volunteers Lawyers and law students can participate in the law-making process by conducting research and drafting proposals. An example of a proposition could be that companies using plastic packaging should mandatorily participate in waste reduction. We can also help by prosecuting individuals or businesses engaged in unlawful waste practices.

• Good waste management solutions: To have proper collection, disposal, recycling, and waste reduction initiatives. The idea is to turn trash into cash by providing economic opportunities for marginalized populations. This includes waste collection and sorting jobs; recycling centers and buy-back programs; artisanal crafts from trash; composting; waste to energy; etc.

A big part of the work will be done by non-paid volunteers. However, to cover the paid work and other expenses, the institution can focus on periodic contributions from individuals or businesses who want to participate in keeping their surrounding area clean. It can also receive any other type of donation. 

There are many initiatives like that around the world. Zero Waste Canada is a good example. This non-profit organization is dedicated to furthering Zero Waste policies and practices at the community, business, and policymaking levels. It is also part of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA). So we will be able to have partners to work with and good examples to follow.