Barbados is confronting a severe waste management crisis in the aftermath of the festive season, with systemic operational strains and widespread public non-compliance overwhelming the island’s sanitation services. The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) reports a perfect storm of challenges: a dramatic surge in post-Christmas waste volumes, persistent improper disposal practices, and critical bottlenecks at the Mangrove landfill’s transfer system.
Public Relations Officer Carl Alff Padmore detailed the multifaceted nature of the emergency. Commercial hubs including Bridgetown, Warrens, Speightstown, and the tourist-heavy food center of Oistins experienced particularly severe accumulation. The emerging commercial zone at Six Roads further compounded pressure on collection routes. The situation has resulted in significantly slowed collections, forced vehicle withdrawals from service, and left numerous communities only partially serviced.
A critical issue remains the dangerous non-compliance from both businesses and residents. Padmore highlighted ongoing violations in Bridgetown’s business community, where merchants continue improperly disposing of cooking oil and failing to collapse cardboard boxes. The consequences turned hazardous in Vauxhall Gardens, Christ Church, where a resident’s disposal of engine oil in a household bin soiled workers’ clothing and contaminated collection equipment, forcing suspension of services for half the community.
Operational capacity is stretched to its limits with nearly 50 trucks deployed islandwide. Household waste, normally averaging three to four bags, ballooned to 15 bags per household during Christmas. Transfer delays at the Mangrove Solid Waste Management Centre have created a debilitating domino effect; a process typically taking 15-30 minutes now faces extensive delays due to congestion, crippling turnaround times for trucks needing to service additional communities.
Illegal dumping and unsecured loads on private vehicles exacerbate the crisis, with recent incidents on St Stephen’s Hill and Cave Hill leaving debris that obstructed traffic flow. Padmore urgently directed citizens to use designated facilities correctly: Mangrove for household/garden waste, Bagatelle for metals and appliances, and Lonesome Hill for slaughterhouse byproducts.
The environmental implications are severe. Illegal dumping in gullies and drains risks critical infrastructure damage and increased flooding by blocking waterways. This also creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, presenting a public health risk.
With 2026 on the horizon, the SSA is advocating for a fundamental behavioral shift. Padmore emphasized that embracing recycling, waste reduction, and proper disposal methods is essential to alleviate pressure on the landfill and mitigate escalating environmental consequences. He concluded with a poignant reminder: ‘If we are kind to nature… then nature will be kind to us.’