Antigua and Barbuda’s National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has obtained a critical World Bank-funded grant to acquire a state-of-the-art tire shredding system. This advanced machinery represents a significant technological upgrade, engineered to process all tire varieties—from standard passenger tires to challenging steel-belted and heavy-duty commercial tires that have historically posed disposal difficulties.
According to NSWMA General Manager Indira James-Henry, the current shredding equipment at the local landfill has proven fundamentally inadequate for the nation’s needs. Its limited capacity and inability to handle steel-reinforced materials have created a persistent bottleneck in waste processing operations.
The acquisition of this specialized shredder is expected to transform the country’s approach to tire waste management. Officials project substantial improvements in processing efficiency and safety protocols, directly addressing the chronic overcrowding at landfill sites. This intervention strengthens the overall resilience of the national waste management infrastructure.
James-Henry highlighted the severity of the tire accumulation problem, revealing that approximately five million discarded tires are currently stockpiled across disposal facilities. This massive buildup presents multifaceted threats to community wellbeing, including heightened fire hazards, environmental contamination risks, and potential public health concerns—challenges that are particularly acute with steel-reinforced tires that resist conventional processing methods.