World-renowned for sun, sea and surf, and a haven for the rich and famous, the Caribbean countries are also grappling with millions of tonnes of electronic (e-)waste produced annually, with limited infrastructure and resources to properly address the issue. In anticipation of Earth Day, which is celebrated on 22 April, we highlight the challenges and some of the national and regional efforts to mitigate the risks.
The rapid global surge in electronic consumption has brought with it a significant environmental concern: electronic waste, or e-waste. E-waste comprises discarded electrical or electronic devices, such as computers, phones, televisions, and household appliances. These items often contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which pose serious environmental and health risks when improperly discarded.
Across the Caribbean, the proliferation of digital technology, increased smartphone usage, and the growth of the informal repair and resale market have significantly increased the amount of e-waste generated. According to the United Nations Global E-waste Monitor, the region produced 241 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, or 7.6 kilogrammes per capita, but with no formal collection or recycling systems in place.
In the Caribbean region, this issue is increasingly visible but remains largely unaddressed due to underdeveloped policy frameworks, limited infrastructure, and public unawareness. As the region continues to modernise and integrate digital technologies, the mounting challenge of managing e-waste calls for urgent attention.
Underdeveloped frameworks and the impact
Although the e-waste issue has become increasingly visible across the region, it remains largely unaddressed due to underdeveloped policy frameworks. As of late 2024 and early 2025, many Caribbean nations lack specific legislation solely dedicated to e-waste management. Moreover, existing environmental and waste management laws tend to have limited or no specific clauses addressing the unique challenges of e-waste.
Despite the lack of comprehensive laws, there is a growing awareness within governments and environmental agencies about the increasing volumes of e-waste and its potential impact on the environment and human and animal health. However, several other challenges exist that would need to be addressed, including the following:
- A lack of the necessary infrastructure to facilitate environmentally sound e-waste collection, dismantling, and recycling;
- Limited financial resources, which can hinder the development and implementation of comprehensive e-waste management systems;
- A lack of comprehensive data on the quantities and types of e-waste generated in the region, thus making it difficult to develop effective policies and strategies;
- Limited enforcement, even where policies exist;
- The need for harmonised policies and regulations if a sub-regional approach to be successful.
- Raising public awareness about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal and the importance of proper recycling.
National and regional efforts
While specific, comprehensive e-waste laws are being developed, several countries and regional bodies are taking steps to address. For example, in Saint Lucia, e-waste management primarily involves collection and exportation to recycling facilities abroad. Due to the small volumes generated nationally, the extensive local treatment infrastructure cannot be justified. However, the country has also developed an E-waste Management Plan, focusing on inventory, storage, transportation, and treatment/disposal, acknowledging the need for further development beyond just collection and export.
In Trinidad and Tobago, e-waste assessments have been conducted, and consideration is being given to establishing or amending legislation to include specific e-waste management policies. In the meantime, the Waste Management Rules, 2021, regulate activities related to waste management, including e-waste.
In Jamaica, no specific e-waste laws can be cited. To date, it is subsumed under solid waste and hazardous waste, for which policies and laws have been established. The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) both play a crucial role in regulating e-waste. The NSWMA actively encourages the responsible disposal of e-waste, has established some collection points across the island, and also conducts public awareness campaigns. NEPA enforces the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which requires transit and importing countries to approve e-waste acceptance before it is exported.
Additionally, informal recycling activities exist in some Caribbean countries, where individuals or small-scale operations dismantle e-waste to recover valuable components like copper. However, these operations often lack proper safety and environmental controls, and the discarded material may still be improperly handled, once again exacerbating environmental and health risks.
Regionally, several regional organisations and projects are working to address e-waste in the Caribbean. First, the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean) assists Caribbean member states in meeting their obligations under multilateral environmental agreements related to hazardous waste, including e-waste. The Centre has also been involved in assessments, pilot projects, such as mobile phone recycling in Trinidad and Tobago, and developing recommendations for sub-regional e-waste management solutions.
Funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the ”Zero Waste in the Caribbean” Projectaims to improve solid waste management in CARIFORUM countries, including aligning systems with circular economy principles and strengthening national legislative frameworks. E-waste is a component of this broader initiative.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has also funded projects focused on e-waste management in specific countries like Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, which involved conducting assessments and developing sub-regional approaches. At the time of writing, the organisation has been piloting an e-waste circular economy model in Saint Lucia.
In summary, the Caribbean region is at a crossroads. The digital revolution offers immense benefits, but it also carries the burden of e-waste—a challenge that cannot be ignored. Although dedicated e-waste laws are still underdeveloped, national and regional initiatives are underway to assess the situation, develop strategies, and promote environmentally sound e-waste management practices. However, the scope of those efforts and the speed of implementation are still a concern, as the region is liable to become a toxic haven, which will compound the impact on our already fragile ecosystems.
Image credit: Freepik
