Basel Convention Regional Centre - Caribbean

From May 18 to June 1, 2026, the TAUW bv team, under the GEF ISLANDS Output 2.2 Hazardous Waste Management Consultancy, conducted national assessment missions in Saint Kitts and Nevis (May 18–22) and Saint Lucia (May 26–June 1). Working alongside local National Working Groups, the team mapped hazardous waste lifecycles and visited numerous facilities — including waste management sites, laboratories, and recycling centres such as the St. Kitts Recycling Facility and IGY Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia — to co-design realistic, actionable National Implementation Roadmaps for hazardous waste management in each country. These roadmaps will focus on practical infrastructure and environmentally sound management of specialised waste streams in line with international best practices. Sincere thanks to both countries and all stakeholders and participants whose support made these missions a success.

Protecting our environment starts with how we manage our waste.

Under the GEF ISLANDS 10258 Project, an assessment of the waste stabilization ponds at the Beetham Landfill in Trinidad and Tobago was conducted to identify how they can be improved.

On Thursday 28th May 2026, a virtual validation workshop was held to review the findings of the assessment and to discuss the best available technologies for improving the country's wastewater treatment capacity.

The workshop brought together SWMCOL and stakeholders from the Trinidad and Tobago National Working Group (NWG) as well as the TAUW bv consultant team, for active discussion on the next steps toward more sustainable liquid waste management. It was facilitated by the BCRC-Caribbean in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The BCRC-Caribbean is excited to welcome the start of the Project Preparation Grant Phase of the GEF 11541 Project: Watershed Action for Restoring Ecosystems in the South Corridor of Saint Vincent as the executing agency.

The aim of the project is to advance sustainable land management across St Vincent's southwest corridor watersheds with Land-Based Sources (LBS) pollution mitigation co-benefits, through policy reform, incentivization, technical demonstration and uptake, in the agriculture, tourism, and commercial sectors.

Supported by $6.1 million from the Global Environment Facility and $14.5 million in co-financing, the project will restore at least 200 hectares of productive landscapes, improve management across 3,300 hectares and benefit 1,000 people. The BCRC-Caribbean looks forward to collaborating with the Sustainable Development Unit of the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the UN Environment Programme on this innovative project.

The BCRC-Caribbean, under the GEF ISLANDS 10279 Child Project and in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has continued building upon earlier trainings on the Effect-Cause-Action Global (ECA-G) Tool for Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHPs). This tool is aimed at supporting HHP management in the Caribbean and is currently being done through more targeted National Training Workshops, with this iteration happening in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

From 9–10 June 2026, this 2-day workshop brought together participants from both Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia to advance practical training with the various components of the ECA – G Tool.

Across the sessions, participants worked through practical exercises including:
🔹 Country identification of HHPs from the national registered list
🔹 Economic impact analysis through the "Farmer's Puzzle" and the National Burden Calculator to determine the estimated costs associated with HHPs
🔹 Environmental risk assessments examining impacts on earthworms, bees, and aquatic organisms
🔹 Human health risk-benefit analysis scenarios
🔹 Regional mitigation and alternatives case studies specific to the Caribbean context

The workshop offers an important platform for technical exchange, stakeholder collaboration, and strengthening regional cooperation toward safer pesticides management across the Caribbean.

The tide has to turn — and it starts here.

The BCRC-Caribbean is seeking to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced Technical Advisor on the Carnival Fashion Industry under the activity "The Elimination of Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains Integrated Programme in Trinidad and Tobago".
Open to: Individuals based in Trinidad and Tobago
Consultancy Duration: Two (2) years
Expected Consultancy start date: July 2026
Language: The proposal, including all supporting documentation, shall be written in English
Deadline for submitting proposals: Sunday June 28th, 2026, 11:59pm (GMT-4)
Applications must be sent to [email protected].
The subject of the email should clearly state the consultancy for which you are bidding in accordance with the following template:
BCRC LastNameFirstName

Please see the BCRC-Caribbean Website for further details:
https://www.bcrc-caribbean.org/opportunities/open-opportunities/consultancy-opportunity-technical-advisor-on-the-carnival-fashion-industry/

Today, we celebrate Corpus Christi, a sacred reminder of Christ's presence in the Eucharist and the values of faith, hope, and unity that guide our lives. May this holy day inspire reflection, gratitude, and renewed purpose.

From us here at the BCRC-Caribbean, we extend warm wishes for a blessed and peaceful Corpus Christi.

National Capacity Building Workshop on the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm & Minamata Conventions — Antigua and Barbuda

On May 28-29, 2026, the BCRC-Caribbean convened a national capacity-building workshop on the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, in Antigua and Barbuda. The workshop brought together stakeholders from varied sectors including environment, legal affairs, agriculture, customs and excise, foreign affairs and the private sector, all eager to learn more about how their work related to implementation of the Conventions.

The BCRC-Caribbean extends its heartfelt thanks to The Department of Analytical Services Antigua and Barbuda for its collaboration towards a successful and productive workshop.