LocationsUNDP is actively assisting Mauritius in improving its waste management strategy
New steps towards waste segregation in Mauritius
August 28, 2023
Stephane Bellerose/UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles
A high-level workshop on segregation of wastes at source was held in Port-Louis today, 28 August 2023. Organised by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, in collaboration with the UNDP, this event regrouped several key stakeholders around the presentation of a regulatory framework on waste segregation and separate storage at source in the Republic of Mauritius.
The UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Multi Country Office (MCO) partnered with the Government of Mauritius to organise a validation workshop for the development of Waster sorting at source regulations. UNDP is actively assisting Mauritius in its endeavours to improve its waste management by diverting up to 70% of solid wastes from the country’s saturated landfills. This collaboration involves supporting Mauritius’ transition towards a circular economy-driven waste management model which will eventually enable the transformation of recyclable, compostable and reusable wastes into valuable resources. Central to this initiative is the rollout of the Waste sorting at source regulations, a comprehensive undertaking overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management, and other local stakeholders.
In a previous workshop organized on 3 August 2023, attention was laid on the drafting of a regulatory framework aimed to enhance the country’s ability to manage waste at source. This included defining the duties and obligations of all waste generators from domestic, commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors, as well as those of stakeholders, such as local authorities, which will be involved in the separation and transportation of wastes. After a month of discussions and exchange with the stakeholders, the draft regulations and provisions pertaining to obligations were presented, discussed, and refined amongst the concerned partners ahead of their oncoming validation by the Attorney General Office.
A significant milestone towards achieving SDG 12
During the launching of the workshop, Dr the Honourable Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, thanked the UNDP for “the assistance provided to make Mauritius a cleaner and greener country.” The Vice-Prime Minister highlighted that the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan is “a significant milestone towards achieving SDG 12 on Sustainable Production and Consumption, which requires Mauritius to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The minister concluded that waste management is the responsibility of all citizens and that the private sector has a key role to play in ensuring a more sustainable Mauritius.
Hon. Kavydass Ramano, Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change highlighted that “waste segregation at source is not an option but a necessity”. He is confident that the regulations set up for waste segregation will not only generate solutions to Mauritius’s waste management issues, but also provide opportunities to create green jobs by directing exploitable resources to recyclers. Mr Ramano also mentioned that the sensitization of the population is key to the success of this endeavour towards a greener Mauritius, and that measures will be taken to ensure that all stakeholders play their roles optimally vis-à-vis waste segregation.
Mr. Jean-Lindsay Azie, Team Leader of UNDP's Environment Unit, highlighted that “Circular economy requires a shared responsibility among different stakeholders and treating wastes as valuable resources will not only lead to improving environmental aesthetic but will also have significant economic benefits as it will provide opportunities for waste-based enterprises that will improve the livelihoods of local communities.” He also mentioned that “UNDP is ready to provide further support to the Government of Mauritius after the finalisation of the ‘Segregation at source regulations’ to enhance collaboration with stakeholders in the field of waste management. "