TaiwanICDF - TaiwanICDF educates young pioneers of environmental protection with new recycling points in St. Kitts and Nevis

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TaiwanICDF educates young pioneers of environmental protection with new recycling points in St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis, one Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Caribbean, fosters tourism as its primary industry. In order to maintain St. Kitts’ quality tourism environment, the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) started the 3-year Solid Waste Management and Recycling Project in July of 2021. The project not only establishes cooperation with stakeholders but also installs recycling points in tourist spots, supermarkets, recycling companies and schools, promoting concepts of recycling and garbage reduction to the public. Through this project, program managers hope to instill local youth with a passion for recycling and contribute to larger environmental goals.

So far, the project has installed 34 recycling points across the country, which have been in operation since June of last year. A novel point system encourages the public to recycle their resources for prizes like reusable shopping bags and tableware, environmentally friendly kettles, and water filters. So far, 19 tons have been recycled. At the same time, the public is encouraged to reduce the use of disposable products to achieve waste reduction. Furthermore, to promote recycling to the widest variety of people, the project set up 27 recycling bins in cooperation with the government, hotels, restaurants, schools and other organizations so that people can conveniently recycle in their daily lives. Eleven of these bins are located in schools in order to promote concepts of solid waste classification and recycling to the students. Aside from these bins, environmental education and promotion activities will also teach the students good habits. These resources encourage youth to cultivate environmental awareness from an early age, and project members hope good garbage sorting habits will spread upwards to their families and communities.

The Solid Waste Management and Recycling Project has already garnered support from the St. Kitts’ government and public. For example, local institutions often request recycling advice from project managers before having an activity. Recycling bins are now set up in carnivals, concerts and celebrations, summer camps and other activities. Citizens even spontaneously clean up their homes, beaches and streets and actively collect resources to recycle bottles and cans. A new awareness of environmental protection has been deeply rooted in their mind.