Turning hazardous waste into circular economy opportunities.
Effective waste management , backed by policy, technical support, and financing, protects health, the environment, and local economies. Turning hazardous waste into circular economy opportunities is a major challenge and priority for the Caribbean. The ISLANDS Program and Blue Tech for Waste Challenge d rive scalable, job-creating circular solutions across the region. When people picture the Caribbean, they imagine white-sand beaches, clear blue seas, and vibrant communities—assets that also underpin the region’s economies. In 2022, services accounted for between 55% and 78% of total GDP in most countries, with tourism remaining the main economic activity and representing an average of 25.4% of regional GDP between 2015 and 2019. Protecting this natural capital through sustainable practices, including circular economy approaches to waste management, is therefore essential to preserve these vital services and sustain long-term economic prosperity. That is ...