Having received no information from the Government of Barbados  regarding its proposal  to develop a Waste to Energy Facility at the Mangrove Pond Landfill in St. Thomas in the coming months, the people are taking a stand to inform the Government that they do not want the proposed $700M  Plasma Gasification Plant on the island. 

Our concerns are:

1. There has been no public engagement on the matter as is usually done with town hall meetings for the public to obtain information and seek clarification.

2. To our knowledge no Environmental/Social Impact Assessments have been done for the proposed facility.

3. We are concerned about the state of Barbados’ air quality given the nitrogen dioxide, mercury, dioxin, particulate matter, and acidic gas which are by-products of Waste to Energy facilities and the impact which this facility would have on residents in particular those from the surrounding St. Thomas area, who currently carry the heaviest environmental burden in our society with the location of several waste facilities. If not properly ventilated, the buildup of carbon monoxide can poison workers within the plant.

4. We are aware of the health risks caused by the emissions.  These harmful dioxins affect animals and  people.  They are transferred to the unborn, affecting their brains, immune systems, sexual and mental development and hormones.

5. We are not aware that the Government of Barbados has found a model of a Small Island Developing State which has successfully implemented a Waste to Energy facility without updating its existing pollution and solid waste management regulations and investing in the technology to respond to the associated risks.  

6. The proposed astronomical cost of $700M will eventually end up costing taxpayers $4.8B.  The cost of this plant will be a further tax burden to the people.

7. We are advocating a national recycling program as opposed to incineration.  The recycling industry can create more jobs and multiple businesses opportunities which can lead Barbados to a clean, green and sustainable economy.

8. We are demanding that the Government of Barbados release of the PPP and Implementation Agreement that it signed with CAHILL.