ReMLit and Recycle OECS Projects close successfully

1st April 2025

By OECS

From March 26 to March 28, 2025, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission in partnership with the European Union (EU) under the EU Zero Waste Initiative, The Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) and the Government of Norway, hosted close-out meetings in Grenada to officially mark the conclusion of two groundbreaking environmental projects—ReMLit (Building Resilience in the Eastern Caribbean through Reduction in Marine Litter) and Recycle OECS.

The event brought together representatives from the OECS beneficiary countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, alongside the EU, AFD, the Government of Norway, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the OECS Commission. The sessions included virtual and in-person discussions on the impact of the projects, lessons learned, and recommendations for the sustainability of waste management initiatives in the region.

Team Leader of the Green Deal of the EU Delegation to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Luca Trinchieri, spoke on the project’s wide-reaching impact.

“When the program was conceived it was the first major initiative by the European Union in the region on waste, and that is also why it was also embedded into the program of the larger regional programme with the support to the enabling environment provided through the UNEP and the collaboration with Latin America through the efforts of GIZ, a European Union member State agency with the work in the Dominican Republic linking this also to the central american region.”

Trinchieri reflected on the importance of public and private sector collaboration in waste management.

“In sectors like waste management you need to partner with the private sector. We applaud and recognise the development of the OECS model that provides the framework for and guidance for future efforts in the waste sector in a way that is nuanced through the OECS region and can point to the key aspects to be addressed to ensure that we move from a linear to circular mdoel.“

Project Manager of the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), Quentin Delpech, elucidated on the importance of initiatives aimed at tackling environmental challenges in the region.

“The Recycle OECS project is not simply an initiative but a strategy and concerted response to major environmental challenges that the Caribbean region faces. The proliferation of plastics have significantly contributed to the deterioration of the marine eco-system and the project aims to transfer this threat into an opportunity. An opportunity to develop an innovative waste management model and promote circular economy and protect the maritime heritage. “

Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Havana, Susanne Gjønnes,emphasized Norway’s commitment to environmental resilience in the Eastern Caribbean.

“Since 2019 Norway has worked together with the OECS to Strengthen efforts against marine litter and water waste management. The goal of this cooperation is clear, to secure a sustainable future both for the OECS countries and for the oceans and I want to start by emphasizing the ocean’s fundamental importance to all of us. Living here in the Caribbean we are very privileged to experience the oceans in so many ways but while it provides us with countless benefits it also presents urgent challenges. Climate Change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution are just a few of the threats jeapordising both the ocean’s health and ours.”

Head of The Environmental Sustainability Division, OECS Commission, Chamberlain Emmanuel, highlighted the critical role these projects play in protecting the marine environment, while advancing the Blue and Green Economy.

“The interconnected challenges of terrestrial and marine pollution, particularly from plastics, threaten both land-based resources and ocean eco-systems under scoring the need to produce a more holistic and sustainable approach to economic development through green and blue economic principles. In alignment with this interconnected approach, the commission and beneficiary member states were able to conceptualize, design and leverage two separate project initiatives, towards one strategic goal and integrated program. This was an excellent example of pooling limited resources across projects and sources towards a unified capacity at the commission and synergistic implementation in and by our member states.”

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy in Grenada, Peron Johnson, underscored the impact of the project in the region.

“This OECS Model is built on five fundamental pillars in showing financial sustainability and strong governance. Through each demonstration in Dominica and Grenada, we have seen first-hand and positive impact of structured waste separation, collection and recycling efforts. These initiatives not only reduce environmental pollution but also contribute to the shift in behavioural change and policy improvement for long term sustainability.”

The closeout meetings coincided with two globally significant environmental observances:
1. Global Recycling Day – March 18 : Highlighting the importance of recycling in preserving natural resources.
2. International Day of Zero Waste – March 30 : Advocating for sustainable consumption and waste management. These global movements align perfectly with the mission of ReMLit and Recycle OECS—driving regional action to reduce plastic pollution, enhance waste management, and protect marine ecosystems.

The event featured presentations from representatives of participating countries, showcasing the successes of the ReMLit and Recycle OECS Projects in addressing marine litter and plastic pollution, as well as challenges and lessons learned, which laid the foundation for spirited discussions on the way forward for continued impact.

On March 26, stakeholders also embarked on a field visit to Queen’s Park Recycling Facility and Perseverance Landfill in Grenada, key sites that demonstrate waste management advancements under the Recycle OECS Project. The visit highlighted Grenada’s milestone achievement in commissioning its first recycling center, a pivotal step under the Technical Pillar of the Recycle OECS Model.

To reinforce environmental sustainability, the final day of activities included a beach cleanup at the Green Bridge Beachfront, reinforcing the OECS commitment to marine conservation.

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