Waste reduction strategies for improved management of household solid waste in Jamaica

Three waste reduction strategies were studied by a survey in the St. Ann's Parish located in the small-island developing nation of Jamaica. Factors designated as incentives to waste reduction existed primarily at the household level, specifically waste segregation, household education, environmental concern and knowledge; whereas, the barriers existed primarily at the national or regional levels, namely government policies and finances. The greatest potential for initiating waste reduction strategies and diverting waste from a landfill in this developing world setting is thus within the household, specifically by community-based waste reduction initiatives that build upon already-existing practices and improve local solid waste management.

Keywords: sustainable waste management, solid waste management, waste reduction, Jamaica, Caribbean, developing countries, small-island nations, survey, public participation, public health, incentives, waste segregation, household education, environmental concerns, environmental knowledge, barriers, government policy, finance, West Indies