By Kisean Joseph
In a move toward environmental sustainability, Good Humans 268 has unveiled its plan to transform waste management across Antigua and Barbuda, drawing inspiration from successful models in Barbados and other nations.
The initiative, spearheaded by founding president Joshuanette Francis, aims to revolutionise how the twin-island nation handles its waste management system over the next decade.
“In the last 24 months, Good Humans 268 has recognised that there’s a gap in the waste management system in Antigua and Barbuda, and we have drafted a plan to address this issue,” Francis explains. The comprehensive draft, now available on the site, goodhumans268.org, outlines changes that will affect everything from household waste collection to commercial disposal practices.
The plan’s development has been methodical and research-driven, culminating in a recent fact-finding mission to Barbados. During her visit, Francis met with Thora Lorde, Waste Management Coordinator in the Barbados Ministry of Sewage and Drainage, to understand their successful implementation of their waste management practices.
“The first importation was 100,000 bins,” Francis said, describing Barbados’s initial implementation. “In Barbados, they charge each household $1.50 per day which contributes to the overall success of the program.” This model has guided Good Humans 268’s approach to sustainable funding, with proposals for Antigua and Barbuda starting at more modest rates.
The organization’s vision extends beyond waste collection. “We’re hoping that in the next five to ten years, we can see a system in Antigua working similar to that in Barbados, the US, and the UK, where individuals are separating their waste,” Francis shared. “We see a future where all of the plastic, glass, and cans are not placed in the same bins, and the future also consists of composting.”
What started as a modest initiative has evolved into a comprehensive environmental program. “We at Good Humans 268, we thought we were just going to do a little thing, encourage students to recycle and volunteer,” Francis reflects. “But recycling has truly taken a lot of our time and resources because one, we got funding for it, and two, we recognize that there is a gap and we want to help fill that gap.”
The initiative promises broader community benefits beyond environmental improvements. “It is going to provide jobs for individuals with disabilities,” Francis emphasized, “and it is going to make Antigua and Barbuda the hub for best waste management practices.”
Implementation has already begun, with recycling bins placed in schools across the nation. The program encompasses multiple facets, including “eco-events, eco-communities, eco-businesses, and our student community service program,” all working in concert to “change the next generation.”
The comprehensive draft plan, which details everything from legislative changes to implementation timelines, represents a significant step towards a greener, cleaner future for the nation’s 365 beaches and beyond.
