“Benchmarking” municipal waste streams is key to formulating
successful recycling initiatives or determining the appropriate
incentives, fees and investments needed to engage stakeholders
(Gidarakos et al., 2006; Hildebrand, 1997). Islands can potentially
be “zero waste” environments when trash is seen as a resource
and not a problem; zero waste is especially desirable on small islands that rely on tourism as a key economic driver. Waste composting,
sorting and re-purposing can all provide environmental
protection, but also offer an added dimension of economic activity,
support small scale agriculture as well as socio-economic wellbeing.
“Zero-waste” implies that no solid waste enters a land-fill or
dump, and all materials are composted, incinerated (for energy), repurposed
or sorted for export to larger markets. Zero-waste islands
can be the ultimate in sustainable tourism marketing as well as
be environmental and economic necessities. Integrated solid waste
management can provide long-term economic benefits to SIDS governments
in reduced landfill management costs, and additional
revenues through regulation and waste disposal fees.