Numerous Caribbean states are heavily affected by vast quantities of washed-up sargassum seaweed (brown algae): it pollutes coastlines, threatens fish stocks, impacts tourism, causes unpleasant odours, and poses health risks to local residents.
However, this problem—which is becoming more acute with each passing year—has also led to a gradual emergence of new awareness in the region regarding the potential for the productive utilization of brown algae and other organic waste. “The existing waste management strategies vary greatly in terms of their level of development,” reports the EBL delegation. This is because in Caribbean island nations, more than half of the waste consists of organic residues—that is, plant-based, animal-based, or derived materials that are biodegradable. This waste typically ends up in landfills or is incinerated, which produces methane that harms the climate and leaves valuable raw materials unused.
To address these challenges, the experience gained in Germany since the 1970s in the recovery and utilisation of organic residues can make a valuable contribution. Supporting local partners in the management of their organic waste and in advancing the circular economy is the objective of the GIZ projects “Material and Energy Recovery of Organic Waste and Sargassum (BioWaste Caribbean)” and “Supporting the Enabling Conditions for a Climate-Compatible Circular Economy”, both funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Exploratory trip lays the groundwork for long-term cooperation
At the initiative of GIZ, a delegation from Lübeck’s municipal waste management company (EBL), GIZ project staff, and technical experts from the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) undertook an exploratory mission to three member states of the Caribbean Community from 17 to 27 February 2026: Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Grenada.
The goal of the trip was to work with local waste management officials to gain a better understanding of local waste management structures and to identify specific opportunities for improvement and collaboration in the areas of organic waste recycling (including Sargassum) and the circular economy. The fact-finding mission took place following the kick-off events for the GIZ projects “BioWaste Caribbean” and “Circular Economy Caribbean.” The EBL delegation explains how this collaboration came about: “The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) approached us based on the experience we gained while providing support in the areas of waste disposal, waste recycling, and wastewater treatment in Albania.”
On-site insights: Landfills, recycling and dialogue
The mission focused on visits to waste management facilities across the islands. These included, among others, the landfills at Deglos (Saint Lucia), Fond Cole (Dominica), and Perseverance, as well as the Queens Park recycling facility in Grenada. In addition, meetings were held with government ministries, operating companies, private-sector representatives, and civil society organisations.
This combination of technical site visits and strategic discussions provided a comprehensive picture of the respective national waste management systems—including their strengths and challenges. The EBL delegation describes this exchange as follows: “The primary goal is to train and advise waste management staff from the three islands here at EBL. This includes topics such as the maintenance and repair of garbage trucks, equipment, and construction machinery, but landfill gas capture is also an important topic. However, the focus will be more on composting.”
Positive developments on the islands
The analysis showed that significant progress has already been made in all three countries:
- Saint Lucia has achieved success with composting and is planning to build a new composting plant in the south of the island.
- Grenada offers significant potential for public-private partnerships, particularly in the areas of composting, biogas production, the manufacture of organic fertilisers, and the utilisation of Sargassum seaweed.
- Dominica has made progress in plastic recycling and deposit-return systems. In addition, new garbage trucks have been put into service, creating opportunities for technical exchanges and training.
Shared challenges and opportunities
Despite these positive developments, a number of overarching challenges also became apparent:
As waste is not yet collected separately and systematically channelled into the circular economy, landfill remains common practice in the Caribbean. In Saint Lucia, plans are underway to build a new landfill site.
A key issue, also in order to relieve pressure on landfills, is the management of organic waste. As many households have gardens, there is significant potential for decentralised composting, for example at household level, in schools, or within communities. Successful examples already exist and could be further expanded.
The management of end-of-life tyres also remains a problem, but offers opportunities for innovative recycling solutions in line with the principles of the circular economy.
Furthermore, all waste management authorities face financial challenges. The systems are heavily reliant on government funding and have so far generated only limited revenue of their own. New models for resource recovery and marketing are therefore crucial.
Another bottleneck lies in technical and operational resources. A lack of machinery, limited maintenance capacity, and a shortage of skilled personnel are hampering operations in many places. “It is often not enough simply to finance infrastructure projects, such as a wastewater treatment plant,” explains the EBL delegation. Although both Dominica and Grenada already have their own workshops, there is a need for training in practical maintenance.
Strategic priorities for EBL practice partners
Based on the insights gained from the trip, Lübeck Waste Management has identified potential areas for future collaboration with partners in the region:
- Organic waste management: Expanding separate collection and composting. Recycling of organic waste from industry that has already been separated.
- Landfill gas collection: Installation of appropriate systems, including energy recovery
- Maintenance: Improving the maintenance and operation of plant and vehicles
- Circular economy: strengthening recycling chains and markets
- Environmental education: raising awareness and knowledge, including through educational initiatives such as the #wirfuerbio app
Conclusion
The fact-finding mission has laid an important foundation for future cooperation. It has not only highlighted specific challenges, but also demonstrated the potential that a long-term professional exchange between local stakeholders and German experts holds for the further development of waste management in the Caribbean.
For Lübeck Waste Management (EBL), the mission therefore marks a successful start as a practical partner for local circular economy stakeholders, with a clear focus on a resource-efficient, circular future and, in particular, the productive utilisation of organic residues.