Mauritius is grappling with a critical juncture, beset by concurrent fires at two waste management facilities. These incidents starkly expose the vulnerabilities within the nation's waste treatment infrastructure.
Mare-Chicose: A relentless blaze
The island's largest technical landfill, Mare-Chicose, has been engulfed by a devastating fire for three weeks. Of its 42,000 m² expanse, 17,224 m² have been subdued, leaving 24,776 m² still ablaze, despite the tireless efforts of the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS). Fierce winds have exacerbated the situation, propelling the flames at an estimated 600 m² daily. The resultant toxic fumes have raised significant concerns among nearby residents, though authorities maintain that danger thresholds remain unmet.
La Martinière: From temporary solution to new crisis epicenter
To mitigate challenges at Mare-Chicose, authorities reopened the long-dormant La Martinière transit center in Surinam. However, on November 25, 2024, this site too succumbed to fire, compounding the crisis. Investigations are underway to ascertain the causes, with arson strongly suspected.
Diplomatic strains and operational constraints
Amidst the escalating crisis, Mauritius sought assistance from France, requesting deployment of a Dash 8 water bomber stationed in Réunion. This appeal was declined, with French authorities clarifying the aircraft's exclusive use for vegetation fires. Despite technical consultations between the regions, this refusal underscores the operational limitations confronting the island.
Waste management under duress
These conflagrations highlight Mauritius's structural challenges in waste management. With a confined territory and a populace of 1.2 million, landfill capacities are nearing exhaustion. Environment Minister Rajesh Bhagwan and associate Joanna Bérenger have criticized the previous administration's oversights, notably the hasty reopening of La Martinière.
Governmental initiatives and future outlook
In response, the government has embarked on several initiatives. Notably, a biogas production project in Beau-Bassin reflects a commitment to modernize waste management and mitigate environmental hazards. Immediate priorities include extinguishing the fires and securing the sites, alongside structural reforms to avert future crises. Mauritius now faces an unprecedented environmental challenge, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul of its waste management strategy.
Deciphering Mauritius's waste management strategy
Confronted with the saturation of Mare-Chicose landfill, Mauritius is transitioning towards a circular economy, departing from traditional linear models. This strategy encompasses:
- Waste prevention
- Material and energy recovery
- Development of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) channels
Supported by ADEME Réunion and the AFD, Mauritian authorities are enhancing team competencies to devise sustainable solutions, such as methanation and biowaste management. This integrated approach aims to repurpose waste into resources, while educating the public and businesses on reduction and valorization imperatives.
Engaging in environmental preservation in Mauritius
Several enterprises and organizations are dedicated to advancing recycling and the circular economy. Key players include:
- PIM Recycling Ltd (Riche-Terre): A subsidiary of PIM Limited, offering recycling services to local businesses, with a shredding capacity of 3,000 kg per day.
- BEM Recycling (La Chaumière, Saint-Martin): Specializing in the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), BEM Recycling upholds a "Zero Landfill" policy by decontaminating and valorizing such waste.
- ATICS Mauritius: A leader in waste management, ATICS champions ecological practices and the waste collector profession.
- Mission Verte: An NGO overseeing nearly 100 collection points island-wide for recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum cans, while conducting awareness campaigns.
- We Recycle Mauritius: This organization gathers recyclable plastics and aluminum cans, and spearheads educational initiatives in schools and businesses.
