Haiti is one of the few countries in the world without a landfill, and where burning waste in the open remains a very common practice.

Combustion which releases toxic gases including sulfur dioxide (SO2) which are irritants to the eyes, nose and throat. At high concentrations, they can cause serious respiratory illnesses or death in people already affected by lung problems such as asthma and bronchitis, although this is a reality that many Haitians have to face on a daily basis. The dioxins emitted have carcinogenic properties and are classified among the most toxic substances in existence.

Furthermore, the country is constantly agitated by popular demonstrations accompanied by burning tires, the inhalation of gases of which causes serious health problems. Knowing that the pollutants mentioned above are emitted into the atmosphere even in the presence of greenhouse gas capture devices installed in modern waste incinerators, it is clear that the concentration of these polluting agents in the The atmosphere is even more significant when burning it in the open air.

In a sustainable development approach, a good waste management and treatment policy is essential not only to guarantee the health of the population, but also to reduce the environmental burden of our waste.

Currently, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is building the first technical center for landfilling and recycling waste in Haiti on an area of 5 hectares in Morne Casse in the North-East. This modern landfill will receive solid waste from the municipalities of Fort-Liberté, Ouanaminthe, Ferrier, Terrier-Rouge, Caracol and other neighboring municipalities. In addition, the center will have technical platforms with reception, sorting and composting areas for waste recovery. Also, partnerships are in prospect with town halls in Guadeloupe and private Guadeloupean companies for the recycling of certain waste.

The construction of this center presents economic opportunities through possible partnerships for the sale of waste and training opportunities through guided tours with universities. This pilot project paves the way for other initiatives aimed at finding a solution to the problem of solid waste management in Haiti.

In conclusion, the construction of the first technical center for waste recovery and landfill in Haiti is a crucial initiative to combat public health problems linked to the combustion of municipal solid waste. A modern landfill center equipped with energy recovery devices would prove very important for Haiti. Not only could this improve the state of unsanitary conditions in the country, and reduce the risks of spreading certain diseases, but also could produce energy for cooking and electricity, and not least be used for the production of fuel for automobiles.

HL/ HaitiLibre