Basel Convention Regional Centre - Caribbean

Further advancing the work initiated through the National Training Workshop on Source Segregation in February 2026, the BCRC-Caribbean continued its support to Suriname through the 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟, held on 15–16 July 2026 under the GEF ISLANDS 10258 Project. The workshop formed part of the activity on Improved Landfill Management and Feasibility Study to recommend and design a hazardous waste storage facility for Suriname.

Building on the earlier training on source segregation, participants strengthened their knowledge of the current operations at the Ornamibo Landfill and the environmental and public health risks that can result from poor landfill management. Further to that, participants engaged in discussions on regulatory frameworks that support proper landfill management, hazardous waste identification, environmental monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and data management. Knowledge on all these topics helps to advance safer, more sustainable landfill management practices.

The BCRC-Caribbean extends sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment in Suriname for their support in organizing this workshop. Our sincere thanks also go to all participants and facilitators for their enthusiastic engagement and valuable contributions. Together, their commitment is helping to strengthen the technical capacity needed to improve landfill management and advance sound hazardous waste management in Suriname.

Funded by the GEF | Led by UNEP | In partnership with IDB and FAO | Executed by BCRC-Caribbean

From 7–10 July 2026, representatives from 12 Caribbean countries came together for the 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬 & 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, strengthening both technical expertise and the skills needed to share that knowledge with others.

During the first two days, participants deepened their understanding of Chemicals and Waste Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), hazardous chemicals and waste management, governance, and regional cooperation. The final two days focused on developing confident trainers through coaching and mentoring, cultural competencies, gender equity and social inclusion, and digital learning approaches.

Through this workshop, participants were equipped with both the technical knowledge and practical training skills needed to strengthen national implementation of Chemicals and Waste MEAs and share that expertise within their organisations and countries. This investment in regional capacity-building supports stronger institutions, informed decision-making and a collaborative approach to sound chemicals and waste management across the Caribbean.

Together, the BCRC-Caribbean is building a stronger network of professionals committed to advancing sound chemicals and waste management throughout the region.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞!

This Plastic Free July, we're turning the tide on plastic pollution — 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.

In recent years, the Plastic Tide Turners Challenge has trained 9,000+ young people across nine Caribbean islands to take on plastic pollution — one challenge, one habit, one community at a time.

Now it's your turn. Getting started is easier than you think. Pick one single-use plastic item this month — bags, bottles, straws, cutlery — and swap it out. Tag us in your swap and let's see how far you're turning the tide.

Click the link to learn more about the Plastic Tide Turners Challenge:
https://wedocs.unep.org/rest/api/core/bitstreams/64118123-629f-4569-a44d-64e03b57463b/content

The BCRC-Caribbean is seeking to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced consulting team to design and deliver a regional training programme on Data and Evidence-based Decision-making and Project Initiation, Management and Communication across 12 Caribbean countries.

Open to: Regional and International Teams
Consultancy Duration: Nine (9) months
Expected Consultancy start date: End of September 2026
Language: The proposal, including all supporting documentation, should be written in English

Deadline for submissions: Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM (GMT-4)

Please click the link in our bio for more details.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶💡

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬?
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was one of the first plastics ever discovered — and today it's the 3rd most-used plastic polymer in the world (Plastics Europe). Chances are, it's already in your home.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗩𝗖?
PVC is a highly versatile thermoplastic — it can be softened by heat and reshaped into rigid, pliable or flexible forms. That's why you'll find it across so many industries:
• Construction and building
• Water pipes, wiring and cables
• Window frames, floors and roofing
• Packaging, healthcare and agriculture
Strong, moisture-resistant and durable, PVC is built to last (European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers).

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
• Human Health: The problem isn't using PVC — it's how we dispose of it. Burning PVC in uncontrolled conditions, such as landfill fires or backyard burning, can release dioxins: toxic compounds linked to serious health risks, including cancer (Kudzin et al., 2024).
• Local Impact: For our small island communities, where waste separation is limited and informal burning is common, safe disposal is even more urgent.
• The Solution: Separate it, collect it, recycle where possible — and never burn it openly.

Sound waste management protects our health and our islands. 🌍

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶
Naphtali is a Research Officer at the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC–Caribbean). She supports the implementation of regional projects focused on sustainable chemical and waste management, including initiatives for specific waste streams like PVC. Naphtali is committed to advancing the sound management of chemicals and waste to help protect human health and the environment.

Let's rethink how we manage our plastics.

📚𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀
• Plastics Europe — Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): https://plasticseurope.org/plastics-explained/a-large-family/polyvinyl-chloride-pvc/
• European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers — About PVC: https://pvc.org/about-pvc/
• Kudzin, M. H. et al. (2024) — Risks Associated with the Presence of Polyvinyl Chloride in the Environment and Methods for Its Disposal and Utilization: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10779931/