Solid waste as an indicator of sustainable development in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Noni M. Georges
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Noni M. Georges: Island Resources Foundation, British Virgin Islands, Postal: Island Resources Foundation, British Virgin Islands

Sustainable Development, 2006, vol. 14, issue 2, 126-138

Abstract: Many Caribbean islands are neglecting the role of waste in monitoring and assessing progress towards sustainability. Arguing that the material basis of the economic process dictates that solid waste should be among the priority indicators for small island developing states and territories, the paper explores the utility of waste as an indicator in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Substantial growth in waste quantities is challenging the island's capacity to process and assimilate wastes. Analysis of available data provided evidence of increasing consumption by residents and tourists, and increasing material intensity per unit economic output - unsustainable trends, which, if unaddressed, would result in Tortola moving away from sustainability. It is concluded that Tortola is in a good position to implement the use of waste as an indicator within its policy framework and could develop an understanding of the material dimension of its economic process, thereby providing an example for other Caribbean islands in assessing progress towards sustainability. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Date: 2006
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:14:y:2006:i:2:p:126-138

DOI: 10.1002/sd.300

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