Ministry of Environment "Let's Talk"

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:15]Hey.

[00:00:25]Hey. Hey.

[00:01:12]Hey, hey, hey.

[00:01:46]What is your contribution to forestation and beautifification in Dominica. We are going to make our village the most beautiful one >> by planting flowers along the roadside.

[00:01:56]>> I'm planting trees at our school so we can HAVE FRUITS FOR SNACK. YEAH.

[00:02:01]>> AT THE forestry division, we are striving to mitigate against coastal degragation. Trees contribute to soil stability, clean air, and pure water.

[00:02:10]>> Building a climate resilient country requires the contribution of every Dominican. Give back to nature. Plant a tree for your future.

[00:02:22]>> That will be 78.50.

[00:02:24]>> What? All that money for two little things >> and an additional 50 cents if you want a plastic bag.

[00:02:30]>> Oh, all you get enough of my money already. I worked with my reusable bag.

[00:02:35]It's stronger and all I need is one. Or you shouldn't even be giving plastic bags. Are you not hearing all the announcements from Ministry of Environment? Then for the little bit of time we use a plastic bath, it takes thousands of years to decompose. They're not good for the environment. And another thing, >> Papa. Next, please.

[00:02:53]>> My lady, she writing. Plastic clogs, drains, and cause flooding. Animals on land and water can also be killed by plastic pollution.

[00:02:59]>> Opt out of using plastic bags when possible or use reusable shopping bags for carrying groceries and other items.

[00:03:06]Remember, our environment, our responsibility.

[00:03:14]Dominic for everyone.

[00:04:02]Good morning to listeners of DBS radio.

[00:04:04]Um, it's my pleasure to be on air this morning to bring you another episode of the program brought to you by the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinagago upliftment and constituency empowerment talking environment or responsibility. My name is Liam Sebastian. I am the project officer in the ministry and I am also the host of this regular program and I would just like to as usual say good morning to the honorable minister honorable Kosia Frederick um the parliamentary secretary honorable Darren Lloyd our permanent secretary Miss Lisa Valman to all the heads of department in the ministry the staff of the ministry particularly the admin staff at the office to listeners of DBS radio um those on social media joining us and anybody who is tuned into this program saying good morning to you this morning we have um two topics to discuss in the time that we have we will be discussing world biodiversity day which will be celebrated shortly and then after we will be talking about the basil convention so anybody wishing to join in this morning can do so on the numbers 1 800327 4448-3284 or on the overseas line 3054329744.

[00:05:31]So these numbers again 1 800 327 4483284 and the overseas line 3054329744.

[00:05:42]Right. So today we will start um the discussion with the well world biodiversity day and also as they say ladies first. So um I would just like to use the opportunity to say good morning to my guest and give her the opportunity to introduce herself um on the program this morning.

[00:06:08]>> You can go ahead.

[00:06:10]So my name is Lisana Dier. I am the senior policy advisor and national focal point of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity within the Ministry of Environment and it's a pleasure to be here this morning.

[00:06:27]>> It's a pleasure to have you and um welcome again. So um getting off well putting you on the spot now in in in in that sense. So we're speaking about World Biodiversity Day 2026.

[00:06:42]When would that day be celebrated?

[00:06:46]So World Biodiversity Day, officially known as the International Day for Biological Diversity, is observed every year on May 22nd. So that's tomorrow. Uh it is a day set aside internationally to you know raise awareness about the importance of conserving all living things on earth and promoting sustainable use of our natural resources.

[00:07:16]>> And what is the the theme for this year?

[00:07:20]>> So for 2026 this year's theme is acting locally for global impact. The theme reminds us that the actions we take, you know, within our communities, um, whether it's protecting forests, uh, reducing pollution, conserving water, or safeguarding wildlife, these all contribute to the global effort to preserve biodiversity for future generations.

[00:07:52]So the theme encourages people to pro protect plants and animals in their communities. Uh reduce pollution and waste, plant trees, conserve water and energy, conserve forests, rivers, oceans or wildlife.

[00:08:12]practice sustainable farming and fishing and and overall educate others about environmental conservation.

[00:08:22]So with this theme and I'll repeat acting locally for global impact shows that everyone has a role in conserving biodiversity and even small local efforts can make a big difference at the local, regional and international scales.

[00:08:45]>> Okay. So you you the I'm going back to the theme because that theme sounds like it's hitting Dominica directly with all the different aspects that that that that it is said. You know, you're talking about the conservation, the rivers, planting trees, but I'm a little bit concerned about the theme in that sense and I know you have been, you know, to cup meetings and so on as we speak about the acting local.

[00:09:08]>> Sorry, I'm not hearing you too too clearly. You could speak up just a bit.

[00:09:12]>> Okay, you can hear me better now.

[00:09:15]Yeah, sure.

[00:09:15]>> Okay. Yes. So, I was saying that theme kind of hits direct to Dominica as we speak about, you know, the protecting the rivers, conservation, sustainable farming and all of that. But I'm kind of concerned with the theme as we talk about acting locally to protect global action, our actions locally in Dominica as it relates to some of the bigger actors because as I said, you have been to a lot of meetings, you know, COP and so on. Is that a concern at these meetings that the actions of the bigger players they are not doing enough to protect um our biodiversity space?

[00:09:53]>> Definitely. Um I feel that at these international conventions um this is where we discuss how each country contributes to biodiversity conservation. And oftent times we tend to see that you know the more developed countries um kind of contribute more to um things like environmental um land degradation etc. So it is a concern and that's why we have those international meetings to really meet and discuss um the challenges and ways in which those challenges can be resolved among member states.

[00:10:36]>> Okay. And um as it relates to the local context for the biodiversity days, anything being done locally to to to celebrate that day?

[00:10:46]>> Yes. So the ministry of environments forestry wildlife and parks division is providing support to the Caribbean youth environment network or cyen commonly known as cyen with the tree planting initiative for biological day. this year 2026. So, it's taking place this Saturday the 23rd to recognize World Biodiversity Day and promote environmental awareness and tree planting specifically among river banks aid with wildlife habitats and ecosystem support you know um river bank stabilization and erosion and also controls and helps with flood management that we do get a lot of. So these actions are critical for conservation and protection and so the ministry applauds the cyen you know the youth for taking on this initiative and is happy to support provide support. Um the tree species will be planted along the river banks of the Makush River on Saturday 23rd. So if anyone is interested in playing a part in biodiversity conservation, this is your chance. You know, this is your opportunity. You can reach out to CYN on their social media platforms at CY Dominica for more details on Saturday's activity and how you can participate.

[00:12:22]And another initiative that I wanted to shed some light on is that of the OCS environmental sustainability exhibition in collaboration with the commonwealth of Dominica through the ministry of environment rural modernization kalago liftment and constituency empowerment and this will take place at the Goodwill Parish Hall on May 27th to 28th from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. daily. So that's next week Wednesday and the Thursday and this exhibition helps translate awareness you know into action. It providing a space for for learning um innovation and engagement as we showcase initiatives advancing environmental sustainability, climate resilience, you know, biodiversity conservation, disaster preparedness and sustainable development across the region which are all interconnected and for us to preserve the environment they all must work together. So again, that's the OCS environmental sustainability exhibition taking place at the Google Parish Hall on May 27th to the 28th next week, Wednesday and Thursday. And we're asking the general public to visit as there is something for everybody. I trust that there will be something that sparked your interest.

[00:13:51]>> Okay. Okay. Well, remember when she said something for everybody, it was Miss Dier who said it, but um you you'll have to go to the to the parish hall just to have a look. As she said, the invitation is open. And um I I I I kind of want to be devil's advocate in that sense to to to ask, you know, why is biodiversity important, >> right? That's a that's an excellent question for today. Um so biodiversity simply means the variety of life around us you know our plants, animals, forests etc. And it is essential to life here in Dominica. Um it is what supports our food security because healthy soils, pollinators and marine life help us grow and catch the food we depend on. It gives us clean air and clean water. um as our forests and waterheds protect our rivers and filter our environment naturally. So biodiversity also plays a big role in protecting us from natural disasters as resources like our mangros and our reefs you know help reduce flooding and and control erosion and protect our communities during heavy rains and storms. So it's also important for our livelihoods and economy from agriculture and fishing to tourism you know many jobs depend directly on a healthy environment um even our medicines you know and scientific knowledge are linked to nature and the resources it provides. I'm sure whenever we have digestion issues, the first thing we think of is having some ginger tea or when we had a long day and unwinding in the evenings, we may take a cup of peppermint tea. And those all come from nature. And even beyond that, you know, biodiversity is part of who we are as Dominicans. It it's it's our culture um our identity as a nature is of the Caribbean and the world by extension and the natural beauty we are known for around the world. So when we protect biodiversity we are really protecting our food, our water, our safety, our economy and um ultimately our future.

[00:16:19]Well, you you just spoke about nature and we know how rich Dominica is in nature. I'm just thinking are there any opportunities that we can capitalize on as it relates to biodiversity?

[00:16:33]>> Absolutely. Absolutely. So, biodiversity presents many opportunities for Dominica both environmentally and economically.

[00:16:41]Um, as a nature is of the Caribbean, our rich natural resources gave us a unique advantage. For example, um biodiversity supports ecoourism which is a major contributor to our economy. So visitors come to Dominica to experience our forests, rivers, waterfalls, coral reefs, you know, our unique wildlife and protecting these natural assets um helps create jobs and business opportunities within the tourism and hospitality space.

[00:17:14]And there are also opportunities in sustainable agriculture, you know, fisheries and forestry where healthy ecosystems improve soil quality, water availability and and and fish stocks which directly benefit farmers and fishermen.

[00:17:35]So biod diversity is not only about conservation. It is also about sustainable developments. You know that economic opportunity and securing a better future for the people.

[00:17:51]>> Okay. All right. Miss D, I know you have an another meeting currently on going online. So I don't want to take too much of your time. I want to thank you for coming and um I'm sure in the next couple of weeks we'll have a a a program just solely dedicated for biodiversity.

[00:18:07]But um any final words before you depart?

[00:18:11]>> Sure. Um I think I would just want to say you know in places like Dominica um our natural environment is one of our greatest strengths as it is a part of our identity our economy our resilience and Dominica's national environment is a great treasure and it is up to all of us you know to preserve it for future generations. So let us continue working together to protect the beauty, the richness and resilience of our islands biodiversity because when nature thrives, you know, the people thrive as well.

[00:18:48]>> All right, a wonderful words to end. Um, so thank you very much for joining us this morning. Um, as we said, we we will have a another program in the not too distant future as it relates to that. So thank you very much for joining us and um it um that was Lisana Dier who is the senior policy advisor in the ministry.

[00:19:07]She was just talking about biodiversity which will be celebrated um tomorrow and um the activities that will follow that.

[00:19:15]So I'm I'm now going in studio now. I have two gentlemen with me. Time is is running but um I just want to quickly give them the opportunity to introduce themselves as we start the second part of our topic this morning. So gentlemen, good morning and welcome to the program.

[00:19:30]>> Good morning. Good morning to all listeners and Mr. Sebastian. Uh my name is Omandi McIntyre and I'm the national project assistant for the GF Islands program in Dominica.

[00:19:42]>> Good morning Mr. Sebast and to your listening public. My name is Floren Mitchell, general manager of the Dominica Service Management Corporation.

[00:19:50]>> Okay. Thank you very much um gentlemen.

[00:19:53]So we are here this morning to at the second part to discuss the the basil convention. But just before we go into that um Amand his first time here with us. So he he works with the BCRC Caribbean. What does that stand for and what does that organization do?

[00:20:11]>> Yeah. So the BCRC Caribbean it stands for Basil Convention Regional Center for Training and Technology Transfer in the Caribbean. So they're based in Trinidad and they basically focus on ensuring that member parties to the Basil convention and also other environmental treaties are able to fulfill their obligations under the treaties. So they basically assist with that assist their member countries with with fulfilling what they signed on to in those treaties.

[00:20:44]>> Okay. Can you maybe you want to go a little bit in depth as to what the basil convention is and and as it relates to Dominica for the general public listening?

[00:20:53]>> Yes. So the basil convention it specifically focuses on the management um disposal and the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. Um it has a very key focus on transboundary movement. Um and that basically means when hazardous waste goes from country to country could be developing to developed or developed to developing or developing to developing. So that's basically what the transboundary movement means and that's what the basil convention focuses on.

[00:21:24]>> Okay. Thank you very much for that.

[00:21:25]Florian if you want to to chime in you can you can feel free to go ahead.

[00:21:29]>> Yes. Um so um just to add um so the regional center in Trinidad it's also well you call it you call it the BRS which is Basil um Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention. So um Caribbean territories like um the Dominica um the regional center was set up to provide technical support for islands within our part of the region.

[00:21:54]>> We we you you guys would have mentioned hazardous waste.

[00:21:59]We hear that term a lot but in ter what what what does that really mean? What is hazardous waste?

[00:22:05]Okay. So, hazardless risk um the definition is any product that you utilize once comes to the disposal element of it, it may contain certain elements that would leech into the environment and that makes it as. So for example your electronic waste that we import and that we use as a television after you have utilized it the disposal there are elements that contains within that um appliance that is hazardous in nature. The battery that you use um for your car when it comes on it's not classified as a hazardous though it have constituents that would cause it to be hazardous um on the exportation element it becomes that way. um the oil that you utilize when it is imported. I mean there are elements in there but when you're disposing it and that goes back to the discussion that um Miss Dia was speaking to in terms of the biodiversity and how legislation such as the business convention helps um improve and promote on biodiversity. Um so the waste or the products basically there are chemical elements. to our pesticide that we import there are elements in there that if not disposed of properly it affects the environment. So for trading purposes yes you allow the product in but on the application of that product in our environment then there are elements that if it's not adhere to that same product that you input for a particular purpose has elements that becomes harmful to the environment if it is not managed properly and that's where the bezel convention comes in to basically govern the movement noting that islands like ours we consider small island developing states we may not necessarily have the capacity to process or recycle that waist stream locally um and then would have to export it. Yeah. So yeah.

[00:24:01]>> So well I I don't know if there's a list because I mean hazardous waste for a lot of people it may be a first or maybe they would have just heard that term loosely. So what what what type of of waste you know are covered under this convention cuz you know you mentioned hazardous waste but that that that term can maybe be look vaguely.

[00:24:21]>> So just to give a little background so since 1998 um the Dominica basically um we had our ascension in May of 1998 and then we basically fully adopted the legislation in 19 the same year August of 1998. Um so the convention itself article 7 will basically give you a listing in terms of the language of hazardous wis and annex one and x2 and x3 it gives you a whole list of wis. So you have y1 y2 y3 y4 it's many it's many categories. So what I did for the purpose of just providing context. So Y1 basically your clinical waste from medical and hospitals is Y1. Then Y2 W from production of preparation of medical products. Y6 waste from the production of organic solvents you know and then Y 46. So I just highlighted a few Y46 waste collect waste collected from household.

[00:25:24]>> All right. and then Y47 residue arising from installation of household waste so and so. So it it's a very very very long list. Um but you could see clearly that your your household waste installation um hospital and we we were specific in probably highlighting why one because as part of the Jeff 10472 project that um Mr. Oman is providing support um Dominica will be providing um support through those project um to demonstrate a pilot um waste collection for um medical waste and also we have some obsolete chemicals that is stored on the island. Again when I mention Y I think Y7 it would form part of those category and as part of the project we do not have the capacity to repurpose or recycle it and then through the convention and for the support of the CRC we'll be able to export that material to a party for further processing. Before we talk about export and and that question I mean any one of you can answer before we talk about the exporting of the material you you made mention of you know joining that convention in 1998 >> so you know that's maybe what 28 years there about >> what what progress has been made from then to now as it relates to that particular convention in Dominica's context >> you ask well a very loaded question in terms know what has been done but what I what I know um the the legislation did is to prevent develop as Omani said earlier on developed countries so what happens generally sometimes is that de developed countries would utilize seeds like Dominica other jurisdiction and dump their waste their hazardous waste in those countries >> because the thing is your waste system evolves and sometimes times when people do not know what to do with a waste, they figure the best thing to do is export that to a third party um country or nonparty member so that the material can be repurposed and then that causes um degradation to our natural environment.

[00:27:36]So the what the law did in our case is that it prevented material of that nature to be imported to Dominica for further treatment because we don't have those. Um and what we have seen is a lot of our development priorities as um Miss Dia made mentioned we have been aligning our priorities to promote biodiversity and if you notice in 1998 um we have the legislation but the soil management authority was not established as an institution till 1999 and our legislation if you if you watch the 2002 legislation a lot of the categories that is listed in article 7 which is article NX1 in terms of the classification of the waist stream. Um those elements was highlighted into the waste management act. So you could see the progressive thinking of the state. We ratify the legislation. We set up the institution so waste and then some of those waist streams are actually governed um practically now in Dominica as part of the soil waste management act. So there is progress in terms of integrating the intention of the law of the um international treaty into local legislation and that would be many other areas. So if you if you probably check into the revised pesticide and cultural act there there are elements that speak to it and it is there and some other legislation as well. So there are in there is actually integration from there to localized um legislation. Yeah.

[00:29:03]>> You can also >> you have anything to add to that? You can also see integration in in addition to what Mr. Mitchell said, you can also see integration in places like customs.

[00:29:11]So since the convention that we signed on to deals with the transboundary movement of the hazardous customs as a big part of that equation and we can see that over the years customs has improved their management of the importation and exportation of hazardous waste. Um just to give you an example, customs uses a special set of codes that can easily identify these hazardous waste for them which makes their job much easier in controlling um what enters and what goes out of the country in terms of hazardous waste.

[00:29:44]>> So can I say or is it safe to say that the basil convention was created to deal with hazardous waste?

[00:29:51]>> Yes.

[00:29:52]>> Yes.

[00:29:52]>> Yes. Because um before that the practice was developing states most of them were used as dumping grounds for developed countries and that put them at a disadvantage. But just to piggyback on what um Omani was saying so what happens is that because of the harmoniz system withway world um so you have your special classification. So what would happen is that if Florian is importing a particular material and it requires a licensing for that particular material a a notification would go to the appropriate agency. So custom would flag it let's say Dominica that might be responsible for um providing oversight on the importation then they would have to check it ensure that the criteria for importation of that particular material is met and then that goods could be released. So there are mechanism um through the custom system and that is >> import. Yeah. So so we have a very good system um locally that is applied again because of the intention of the international treaty.

[00:30:53]>> We we realize how important that that that convention is as we we we we we going through the discussion um as it relates to the reducing the the movement of hazardous waste. But Mr. Mr. Mitchell, I want to ask you from your standpoint as the manager of the Solid Waste Management Corporation, does that limit your ability, you know, to to to to export recycle material or or or hazard waste itself?

[00:31:20]Um, uh, no. So, what we've noticed, um, when the legislation was set up in in 1998, I mean, you need a amendment. So plastic as we know it is considered an emerging um pollutant. There are certain elements within plastic that is hazardous in nature. So you are able to amend the legislation to consider products that might be used for repurposing. So in 2019 um there was consideration for an amendment of the existing legislation to consider plastic products. um and and so it makes it easier to export um that material to other parties that are signatory to the convention. So as a a member state you are not you're not supposed to um export material to a nonparty and I think that is addressed in article five I think of the convention that um I think article four paragraph 5 speaks to that that Dominica cannot let's say if guadloop well guadloop is Europe so they they would have ratified let's say for example just using Antigga as a as a case scenario that Dominica cannot export to let's say Antigga if they are not um signatur to to the convention but Antigga is um signatory to the convention. So it restrict those um level of movement and it allows you now to be able to export it to a member state that can process the material because at the end of the day we want to close the loop and the intention of the the legislation is to close the loop and that the material that you're exporting doesn't end up on shore somewhere else and it's causing some issues for that jurisdiction in terms of environmental degradation.

[00:33:08]>> But prior to the program um Mr. Mitchell was saying that he's not sure he's prepared and here he's talking about article 4. He's going into the exact paragraph the stuff as I told him he knows his stuff. So, so, so, so, you know, the conversation will flow. But then, um, in terms of vulnerability for us here in Dominica as it relates to illegal dumping or transm of of of whis, how does that really impact us?

[00:33:35]>> Okay. So for example if uh there is there is something under the convention there's this prior informed consent right so let's say um Dominica we're just using scenarios Dominica is going to export um as as is we as part of the 10472 and 10 9 1075 >> um we will be exporting opposite chemicals that we have stored in Dominica so let's say the vessel a contractor and again that person have to be licensed it's not somebody just come in and pick up Mazus material and do viky vice. Um that institution have to be licensed. The necessary permit has to be given.

[00:34:12]>> Um the person have to demonstrate the ability with all their local training whatever that is required to be able to um stockpile it or repackage repackage some of it and then prepare it for export. Once that is done on island okay then it is leaving Dominica and it's going to let's say Europe and that vessel has to let's say stop on four different ports >> Dominica have to request consent from all the different localities that is going to that vessel is going to stop to notifying them that we are exporting so much such a content um the vessel will be in your port at so and so date and so on time and they have to we have based on the articles we have to um fulfill those obligations. So the the the countries have to provide consent and then you could ship out that material.

[00:35:05]So it's a bit tricklish in terms of back and forth. So it takes some time because you you write >> um based on the trade routes you you write to let's say guadloop or matnik or whatever wherever that vessel is going to pass. Even if the contents of the cargo is not dislodged from the vessel >> onto the port, you still have to get prying from consent. I I think that might be one of the most tricklish thing >> um there is. But once you get all the clearance is very seamless to transport the material from your jurisdiction to wherever it is to be um further processed.

[00:35:40]>> Well, that that that that's the next question I was going to ask because listening to you that process sound like it's very complicated. there are a lot of stakeholders involved. There's a lot of maybe um documentation that has to be done properly before either import or export is done. I don't know if I am I'm saying >> yeah that is true but here the smart thing about the legislation so within the legislation now there's a toolkit so you can go on BC on the on the basel convention um platform and there is a toolkit so you could utilize the toolkit and it can provide you all the steps so you say okay I have such and such a waste I am expecting to send to Spain these are the potential port of entries that the vest is going to stop you put all those parameters in and the platform itself which is a tool toolkit will provide you guidance as to what the dos and don'ts then. So it makes it a bit easy um for member state to be able to follow um some of the legal requirements of the legislation itself. So it it makes it kind of >> provides good guidance.

[00:36:38]>> Yeah. Provides good guidance for you um on that >> then um well maybe Amundi will will will tackle this next question cuz as he said BCRC I think it it st its headquarters is in Trinidad.

[00:36:50]>> Trinad. Yes.

[00:36:50]>> Right. So then we know um we it's easy to say that the resources that and equipment that Trinidad possesses is maybe different to us here. Is there a lot of crosscountry training being done as it relates to um hazardous waste movement and all of that?

[00:37:06]>> Well, yes, that's one of the actually main things of the whole GF islands program. So the GF islands program, it's executed by the BCRC Caribbean and if you trace it, if you watch the projects and everything that's part of the program, you'll see that it's basically to do with the Basil Convention. So we basically advancing the Basil Convention through the islands program. And this islands program, a major part of it, as I said, is training. So we have a lot of workshops. um they're held across the Caribbean because many of the other islands also participate in the same program. So we have them, we've had some in Dominica, many in Dominica actually and we've had some in Trinidad which is where the center is based. We've had some in Bahamas, we've had some in St. Kits. So we have a lot of workshops and trainings and that is basically to build the capacity of the local stakeholders in the islands to be able to actually handle this hazardous waste because if part of the basel convention provides all the necessary suggestions and so forth to handle the hazardous waste but the people on the ground the stakeholders who actually physically handling the waste doesn't know the right way then it's basically useless and they're also endangering themselves.

[00:38:23]So capacity building is a very big part.

[00:38:26]Um workshops are a very big part, trainings and really like to get the stakeholders involved and really like to make them make them know that that that their training is important and make them know that their training is not just important for us but for themselves as well personally their own health and safety.

[00:38:44]>> Okay, Mr. Mitchell, the next question is for you cuz um one of the mandates of this convention is that the waste should be managed or minimized close to the source as possible.

[00:38:57]>> We we know our constraints as it relates to you know landfield space and all of that but then recently we have been doing a lot of you know walkth throughs and so on as it relates to decentralization. How will that component inform this mandate? Okay. So again um the the legislation really speaks to processing the hazardous waste as close to the point of generation. Um but when you let's say we consider lead acid batteries I mean we have no functional >> no treatment >> industry in Dominica that could remanufacture process it in in an environment at some manner. Um so what we wanted to to do as part of the Jeff project and to inform our decentralization system that the government has been um speaking of um is to figure out how we could probably establish a hazardous facility at one of the decentralized location because what we've not we have gaps so if we have issues from the point of entry I mean our port is not very big so we could only store so much obsolete or condemned product at the port of entry.

[00:40:13]So we are hoping as part of the project to be able to inform what a waste hazardous facility should look like and such facility how we could have the facility one of those facilities located at our decentralized location. So if we have an issue with a particular waist stream probably some chemical come in there are some issues it is confiscated it goes to that facility for storage until we can get all the permits to export it. So so that's the intention there. um and again through the Jeff um island project and as um Omani said capacity is something that is required by member states and that is what the BCRC is there to facilitate the level of capacity that is needed in Dominica to deal with those waist streams and those wast constituents. So as part of the project um I think we'll be getting some support to be able to design a hazardous facility >> and to see how we could implement and have a fully functional facility not for probably treating but for storage.

[00:41:08]because um sometimes you have different waist streams. So for example um um nuclear waste for example so if something comes in and it's nuclear in nature I mean there are different um facilities to deal with this but Dominica doesn't have the capacity to deal with that. Um there are some waist streams in Dominica that is hazardous in nature. Let's say for used oils. It's hazardous but we have a a system in Dominica where that that oil is repurposed in in the production sector.

[00:41:40]So so there are some hazardous waste that we deal with but in terms of the storage we think having an interate storage facility is is critical. It would allow us to store and then export for further treatment.

[00:41:50]>> But do you do you anticipate that that will be a challenge though considering our topography? you know how large Dominica is um as it relates to that facility in terms of where will it be located and and all the different factors as it relates to this um topic we're discussing.

[00:42:09]>> Yeah. Yeah. Um, so we've been doing as part of the Jeff project trying to figure out site selection in terms of where is the best. Um, and then it it's kind of tricky to do side selection because you have to consider the the waist stream that you're going to store there because let's say if you if you're going to store a lot of liquid waste which might be as construct, you don't want to put that in a rainforest because any form of leeching you're going to have problems. So what we've been doing um is just to do a country profile and then try to figure out some of the material that comes in that pose a significant challenge that we cannot process and um there are existing systems and technologies that could be used to store um some of the material that we have at present. Um and so we will use our country profile to so determine the location and the best system to store let's say for example all the waste we have that we need to export currently that's on island so that is a good scenario to utilize and say okay this is the solvents that you have you have that so and so and these are the parameters or the um facility may confirm ABCDFG um I don't want to use any community for people to say we're going to put hazardous in the community but let's say However, however that might be most suitable given the geological and all the other eas that needs to be done.

[00:43:31]Okay, that site is the best site and then we have the material stored there.

[00:43:35]>> Well, I'm sure with consultation once those assessments are done public >> public consultation and and and we need to also appreciate that is is better that we put infrastructure in place to store it that it is some open and creates a greater problem for the state.

[00:43:51]So development comes with those things and then and as we're developing we're going to use chemicals we're going to use more complex chemicals and then we need to be able to store it that it doesn't pro pose so much problem to human human and the natural environment.

[00:44:06]So it it needs to be stored somewhere and our intention is not to refine it but to store it and export because the export the the recycling of it in terms of breaking it down to a constituent that doesn't pose any problem to the environment might require more capital investment more training more cost. So if you're going to store an export is the um closest um and best possible scenario is I >> is there a cost associated um well is there a cost there to gain for exporting some of these materials because I'm sure some of these places where they are being exported to they are going to maybe well I dispose of them or maybe reuse them in some sort of way. I'm not too sure. But is there a cost based on volume or whatever it is as it relates to exporting this material?

[00:44:56]>> Um they can answer but it's a very tricky question to answer in the sense of when you exported your pain facility to either chemically process the >> or to break back down the molecules of that chemical that it doesn't have any further impact on the environment. So it costing money to send to the facility to process.

[00:45:20]>> So you're losing money then.

[00:45:21]>> Yeah. But the downside is if that element was supposed to be is leeched in the river somewhere. What is the cost of Dominic as a state? Let's say the the Indian River no longer can be used and we use the Indian River for recreation.

[00:45:36]It have biodiversity you So, so when you look at it, you may we may not have quantified the dollar value for the preservation, but I mean just imagine our tourist stock goes down by half >> because of that >> of that environmental spill. That means to lose more if we don't do it properly, lose more in the long run as opposed to exporting for the necessary processing that is required.

[00:45:57]>> And just to just to add to that also in addition to what Mr. Mitch said, yes, it's costly to export it to other countries. Um but there's also some hazardous waste that um locally some money can be made from exporting. It might not be a significant large amount but some money can be made from the exportation of hazardous waste. So for example you have um der vehicles right and when they take them apart by time they become hazardous waste and you take them apart and you scrap them and get your scrap metals and so forth you can actually export that for money. um people actually pay to get that. So there's money to be made in the private sector for that. Um and that can be looked into as well. Yeah. Okay. Are there any other environment sorry not environment international conventions similar to the the the basil convention and then briefly I mean you can just say what they do if there are as it relates to us. M so there's about three more well not about there's exactly three more you have the Minina matter convention um that's a very recent one that focuses on Mercury specifically then you have the Rotterdam convention and the Rotterdam convention it's very similar to the Basil in that it deals with the movement of substances but the difference is that the Basil convention mainly focuses on hazardous waste while the Roterdam convention me focuses on hazardous chemicals. So they have not reached the waste level as yet. So they call them hazardous chemicals and the Rotterdam basically it wants to have a shared responsibility in terms of the importation of hazardous chemicals. So like in Dominica for example, if we importing something that's classified as hazardous chemicals, we want the person that is exporting that to us to have some responsibility when it reaches the stage of hazardous waste, you know. So that's what the Rotterdam convention does. Then we have the last one, the Stockholm, which focuses on um >> I believe it's pops. Yeah. Pistic organic pollutants and that's basically a very general one just to protect human and environmental health from persistic organic pollutants which is stuff like industrial chemicals used a lot in manufacturing and so forth >> and and from another perspective right now we are basically trying to negotiate on UN 514 which speaks to the illegal plastic wast basically so there is currently negotiation on treaty that would govern plastic and plastic waste.

[00:48:36]So that is something that we need to look um for to um again UNI 514 is the is the international legally binding instrument for plastic waste and there's ongoing um treaty negotiation and trying to figure out what the text should look like um the parties the responsibilities um because a plastic waste um boy there is no jurisdiction for plastic waste once it gets into the ocean it will go everywhere the the tide so so carries it um so that's another um legislation that we have to look um forward to and see how those things are integrated. And if you note a couple years ago, we had the the ban on single use plastics or single use items >> and that is a result of the leech the leakage of plastic into our natural environment and um we already preempting. So we anticipating that by the time this order instrument comes in that some of our processes um would have been improved and that is why um Dominica we have been pushing on promoting a lot of circular economy approaches um that the waste can be reused. I mean some of it is very lucrative, some are not and those that are lucrative and that could be repurposed for other products. Um we are seeking to demonstrate a lovely initiative by next year June we should be having a product that we are selling locally that could be uptake um through the um construction industry among other things. So these are some of the approaches um the private sector need to consider. Waste is not just waste but there are elements of waste that is a resource and require probably some form of investment >> and so to our commercial and our business sector >> um you need to consider that integration into those waist streams and to figure how we could have some uptake into products that could be utilized locally or exported for sale um on the global market. We don't have much time but I I'm I I'm just in my mind I I believe there is a gray area and that area I don't know if you guys would agree with me yet um you respond but to maybe somebody maybe tuning into this program might say um yeah we had the manager of solid waste here talking about what UN whatever and hazardous waste and building another facility and we don't have money blah blah blah instead of him telling us well you know we we need proper garbage collection or so on I believe that there's this gray area between the general public understanding the repercussions of inadequate facilities or improper management of these sort of chemicals that we use. So that when it comes to as you said you do not want to mention a community because people will say is in my place you come in and put this and whatever and I think that is because there's a lack of understanding from the general public as to the the the the fallout that we can have if we don't manage those things properly. I don't know if you agree with me but that's just me thinking.

[00:51:32]>> I would allow to answer. Let me tell you why. So before while you were speaking to Louisiana I was speaking to him sometimes when we speak to people we don't consider the social element of whatever we implementing. So there is a element for commercial entities and there is an element for normal folks like us and I was telling him so we're just having this chat. So I was telling him sometimes we do not take the time now to showcase or or or or stipulate the linkages. Mhm.

[00:52:02]>> So, so I was saying to him and I should even let him speak at it that to me buying food, right? I go buy my boy and buy something and then you telling me my boy food goes went up from 20 to $50.

[00:52:14]Let's just figure and it's because the packaging she using is different. It's like boy is nonsense so doing and is data doing that and Z doing that. But I said I was saying to him, so I should tell the guy, okay, you can remember using the styrofoam and when it when it hot and you seeing like it looking like something breaking it like it looking like it have a brown spot, it means that the heat is causing the foam to break down and it's end up in your food and then you're going to consume that. Now when you eat that food, you're not saying it, you know, but it it's uptake in your body and then you go into the hospital and you said, "Boy, I have something troubling me by my waist."

[00:52:52]when you check you have an issue but it's something that was leeching into the food but you're consuming so but it's not pay you're not paying attention to it and then it's costing you $5,000 on the back end for medical bill and when we're saying to you well it will cost you more money because the packaging that we're proposing it is of organic it is a natural element probably from bamboo from baras whatever whatever and there is no uptake of any pathogen into your your your body so the 5,000 that you're going to pay to the doctor there to pay $2 extra because the packaging is a friendly packaging for your own health. So I was telling before that that is sometimes we do not make the connections. So sometimes I talk treaty now people just think treaty >> but they're not seeing the direct benefit for the change and how it's affecting their them and our livelihoods and and sometimes we think us but but it's really affecting the state a lot >> because all that medical thing on the state and so on so forth. So we having those discussions. So that is a great way here. So that is why you have to see that it is affecting you as an individual and that the changes that is required it requires you to make that change. It requires you to invest in a garbage bin to store your waste properly because if you don't store it properly the dog is going to burst it. It's going to be all over the place once so and so.

[00:54:09]It's just 150 or $200 over a fiveyear period. So we have to make those kind of collections. Am >> you want to respond because we we we out of time. So you can go ahead and respond. Um I wanted to add something but I wanted to answer the question using an example. I think that's the best way the public would understand better. So like for example in for Dominical context something that Dominicans can relate to. Let's say farming agriculture. A farmer might be listening to the radio program right now and he might say the same thing that you just said. You know he might see the solid waste manager here and he'd be so focused on you know garbage collection and oh why not d that and not focusing on what the program is actually about.

[00:54:47]But the farmer doesn't realize that the same people that we train the BCRC Caribbean when I talk about capacity building the same people that we train his extension officers we transfer the information to them for example the proper disposal of his pesticide containers and the extension officer would transfer this information to the farmer and then the farmer now if he does not take heed to that information now that is a serious concern for his health and that is all what the basil convention is trying to is trying to target. So when a farmer listening today, he should also not just focus on Mr. Mitchell and having his garbage collected on time, but the farmer should also focus on the message of you know the smaller things, the things that you don't really see his disposal of his pesticide containers or it can affect him or it can affect his community and those type of stuff. So it affects everybody and it's important for everybody to take heed to the smaller things in addition to the bigger things.

[00:55:45]Okay, gentlemen, we out of time. So, we have one minute to each of you to give your final words as we wrap up today's program.

[00:55:53]>> Um, just to say thanks again for having us and I want to say kudos to my hardworking staff wherever you are. Keep up doing the good job. Um, and um, also I mean we approaching the hurricane season and and ensure that your waterways are free of any debris on the general um, to help us reduce on flooding among other things. And um thanks again for having us. I I try to keep it very short.

[00:56:17]>> Yes. So thank you to the listeners for tuning in. And also we just want to say that the BCRC Caribbean and the GF islands program is looking forward to continuing our work in Dominica and the wider Caribbean and looking forward to working with all of y'all to advance the management of hazardous waste.

[00:56:38]>> All right, gentlemen. Thank you very much for joining me today on the program. um on Monday and Mr. Mitchell as well as Miss Dier. So that brings us to the end of this week's episode talking environmental responsibility.

[00:56:50]Just encouraging everybody to be safe.

[00:56:52]Um God willing next week we'll be having a discussion with the national parks unit of the forestry division where we discuss some of the aspects um related to the user fees and so on um in next week's program. So thank you very much for tuning in. My name is Liam Sebastian saying goodbye. And this brings us to the end of this week's program talking environmental responsibility.