The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is taking steps towards improving the country’s solid waste management systems through a loan of USD672, 500 from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Solid waste management has become an increasingly critical issue in the tourism-dependent territory as rapid growth in the tourism sector, population increase and changing consumption patterns have led to a corresponding increase in solid waste generation. Consequently, inadequate solid waste management has been identified as one of the key environmental threats facing TCI, an issue which the Technical Assistance project will help the country assess and address.

Director of Projects at CDB, Daniel Best said the goal of the project is to create an environmentally sustainable system that can serve the country well into the future.

“Through this technical assistance project, the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands will be able to develop an integrated solid waste management strategy–one that will establish a framework for the sector over a 20-year period. Sound management of TCI’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems is critical in all of this as we want to ensure that economic growth is environmentally sustainable, particularly given the importance of the country’s tourism sector.”

The loan will assist with the costs of consulting services to develop an integrated solid waste management strategy for the country and preparing a feasibility study of solid waste management options. It will also aid in creating detailed engineering and architectural designs for the preferred infrastructure options and developing a related programme of institutional strengthening and capacity-building. Independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for the proposed works will also be undertaken.

The Technical Assistance project is aligned with CDB’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development within its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). It is also in line with the Bank’s corporate priorities of strengthening and modernising social and economic infrastructure, and promoting environmental sustainability.