SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENTUNIT
This department manages the solid waste collection and disposal services for the nation.
The unit has accomplished its objective of privatisation of most of its collection services nationwide and that of its disposal services in the Grenadines, as it gradually moves towards a more sustainable waste management system. This includes the removal of derelict vehicles throughout the country, the collection of white goods and the continued upgrade to the delivery of its services.
Our Mission
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To improve the quality of life for all Vincentians through the provision of effective Solid Waste Management Services.
The Solid Waste Management Unit is determined to provide environmentally sound as well as cost effective waste management services. We cater to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional collection and disposal of garbage in our effort to keep our environment clean.
The main aspect of the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) operations comprises of managing five landfills throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They are:
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Diamond Landfill (Mainland St. Vincent)
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Belle-Isle Landfill (Mainland St. Vincent)
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Bequia Landfill
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Canouan Landfill
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Union Island Landfill
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Landfill Operational Hours:
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Landfill
Operational Hours
Monday-Friday: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Diamond Landfill
Belle-Isle Landfill
Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 2:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 2:00pm
Monday-Friday: 7:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 5:30pm
Bequia Landfill
Monday-Friday: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday 7:00am - 5:30pm
Monday-Friday: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday 7:00am - 5:30pm
Canouan Landfill
Union Island Landfill
NOTICE: It is preferred that customers come within half an hour of closing periods to facilitate site shut down.
Statistics​
Incoming Waste Statistics
The SWMU collects and reports data on the generation and disposition of waste throughout St. Vincent and the grenadines from all five (5) landfills. Waste is quantified upon being filled into our sites to develop a total of all waste being disposed on an annual basis. Tabulations done from the year 2020 indicated that a total of 224,532 m3 of waste was disposed from all landfills.
The Diamond landfill accounted for 80% of that total followed by the Canouan landfill which had 9%. All other percentages of remaining landfill waste are identified below.
Waste Characterization Program​
The Solid Waste Management often conducts waste characterization studies in an effort to better understand the variations of the total incoming waste streams (paper, plastic, glass etc.) entering our landfill. Data attained from studies can help better understand what material can be diverted through initiatives such as recycling programs, which in turn would prolong the life-span of our landfills.
White Goods Collection​
Since the year 2011, the Solid Waste Management Unit has offered free island wide white goods collection to the general public. The following year to this program’s inception, the organization then offered the service on a biannual basis to manage the incoming waste stream as indicated in the graph shown below. From the year 2011 to 2020, the SWMU has collected over 25, 594 yd3 of white goods material. It is pivotal to remove unwanted white goods material as they can act as habitats for many hazardous insects/rodents which can spread an assortment of illnesses.