The Virgin Islands may have big trash problems, but 2012 could be the year that starts to change drastically. For the first time, it seems the territory may get a recycling programme, said Charlotte McDevitt, executive director of the environmental education-focused non-profit Green VI.
“We’re working on a recycling business plan now,” Mr. McDevitt said. “It would be a partnership between some private businesses, Green VI and government.”
The group will also work with the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and has links to a similar programme in the United States Virgin Islands.
The plan calls for recycling of aluminium and glass throughout the territory next year, with recycling of other materials to come sometime in 2014.
The next step in the plan is to create working groups for glass and aluminium. The groups will start by evaluating the “waste stream” of their material, Ms. McDevitt said.
“They’ll be looking at each stage,” she said. “So, how can it be reduced, how can it be re-used, how can it be recycled and how can it be recovered.”
See the Dec. 21, 2011 edition for full coverage.