1. Solid Waste Management Present State in Belize Albert Roches Environmental Officer Department of the Environment

2. BACKGROUND • It is estimated that Belize produces over 200,000 tons of solid waste annually from domestic households and commercial establishments • This means that each person living in Belize produces approximately 2-3 pounds of solid waste every day.

3. LEGISLATION • Belize has sufficient for management but needs to be more integrated, taking into consideration, development, urbanization, population explosion, recycling programmes and energy production from waste. • Some of these legislations are: • Public Health Act • Solid Waste Management Authority Act • Environmental Protection Act • Removal of Refuse By-Laws (Local Government) • Summary Jurisdiction - Anti-Litter Regulations (4)

4. Public Health Act • Exists since 1958 presently being revised. • Provides for the basic sanitation within private homes, properties/public places. • Provides for methods of how to store and dispose of solid wastes.

5. Solid Waste Management Authority Act, 1991 • Establishes the Board of Directors for SWMA (5 members + Environment & Health) • Responsibilities: • Declare Service Areas & make arrangements (contractual agreements) for the collection and disposal of waste in service areas. • Devise ways to improve efficiency of collection and disposal of waste. • Ensure residents have proper storage facilities for their wastes. • Prescribe charges to be paid by residents. • Designate places for disposal of solid wastes

6. Summary Jurisdiction Offences • 1970’s - US$50.00 or 1 month in prison for littering. • 1990 – US$250.00 or 2 months in prison and provides for use of Littering Tickets. • 1991 – US$50.00 (Police, Transport, PHI, JP’s, Clerks of Councils, Bus Conductors) • Provides for court hearing and sets additional fine of US$2.50/day the fine goes unpaid after 15 days.

7. Summary Jurisdiction Offences • 1996 - US$50.00/person and US$250.00/ business. • Included DOE Officers, Persons appointed by Councils, Minister appointed) • Provides for court hearing within 15 days and sets additional fine of US$5.00/day/ person and US$25.00/day/business the fine goes unpaid after 15 days.

8. Environmental Protection Act 1992 • Establishes the Department of the Environment (DOE) • Gave DOE responsibility to address all issues pertaining to Pollution of Land and Water. • Prohibits “Dumping”. • DOE to monitor Solid Waste Management

9. Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1995 • Establishes EIA process and allows the Department of the Environment to screen projects – ensure to mitigate against negative impacts to the environment, including from solid waste. • Department utilizes Environmental Compliance Plans (ECPs) to properly address solid waste disposal.

10. Pollution Regulations 1996 • Gives Department of the Environment responsibility to prevent pollution of land and water from all types of sources. • Department to designate solid waste disposal sites.

11. Refuse By-Laws • Belize City Council Act • Belmopan City Council Act • Town Council Act • Village Council Act: • Gives cities, towns and villages the authority to establish by-laws to address several issues including solid waste.

12. Refuse By-Laws • Belize City Littering Offences By-Laws, 2000 - fines at US$250/person and US$500/business. • Additional fines of US$15/day/person and US$65/day/business after 15 days if fine goes unpaid.

13. Refuse By-Laws • Border Management Agency Littering Offences, 2000 - fines at US$25/person and US$150/business. • Additional fines of US$2.50/day/person and US$10/day/business after 15 days if fine goes unpaid.

14. Customs Regulations 2006 • Department of the Environment to control the import of used tires and lead acid batteries • Control the export of scrap metal • Licenses required for all these activities.

15. Responsibility • Cities, Towns and Villages – responsible to make by-laws to address solid waste issues in localities (SWMA, PHB, DOE, Councils) • Solid Waste Management Authority - responsible to ensure that mechanisms are put in place in all localities to address solid was management. • DOE to monitor and ensure that solid waste is properly dealt with at all levels.

16. ENFORCEMENT • Effective enforcement is lacking • Limited support and coordination between government and local authorities • Capacity constraints: • Finance • Human resources • Logistics/transportation etc. • No formal system or structure for effective enforcement • Enforcement is not across the board

17. INITIATIVES • Strengthen the Solid Waste Management Authority • Enhance cooperation with agencies • Public Awareness geared at changing public attitudes and behaviour • Implement National Solid Waste Management Programme

18. THANK YOU!!!GRACIAS!!