Skip to main content
Nueve%20municipios%20turisticos%20de%20Republica%20Dominicana%20lideran%20la%20reduccion%20de%20plasticos%20en%20el%20Caribe%20con%20proyecto%20GIZ-07ec2ed7 Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo - Nine tourist municipalities in the Dominican Republic lead the reduction of plastics in the Caribbean with the GIZ project

Categories:

Publication date:

02 October 2024

Nine tourist municipalities in the Dominican Republic lead the reduction of plastics in the Caribbean with the GIZ project


The regional project “Prevention of plastic waste in the seas of Central America and the Caribbean – Circular Caribbean” is implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and promotes the transition towards a circular economy in collaboration with institutions in the country.  

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. - The Circular Caribbean Project, whose objective is to prevent the dumping of plastic waste into the seas of Central America and the Caribbean, celebrated during an event that nine tourist municipalities in the Dominican Republic are leading the reduction of plastics in the Caribbean Sea and that in the last three and a half years the entry of some 850 tons of plastics into that aquifer was prevented.

Among the tourist municipalities are Puerto Plata, Cabarete, Sanchez, Las Terrenas, Las Galeras, Santa Barbara de Samana, Miches, Pedernales and Oviedo.

This is a regional initiative implemented by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in coordination with the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the Government of the State of Quintana Roo (Mexico) through the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA). The project was funded by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany.

During the activity, the ambassador of the European Union in the Dominican Republic, Katja Afheldt, valued the commitment that must be assumed for the good of the planet, “recovering biodiversity, protecting the oceans and giving citizens tools for action occupy a prominent place on the agenda of the European Union, adopting a firm commitment to reverse this situation through the European Green Pact, the main program for sustainable growth, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. It is urgent that we can all contribute to regenerating our planet,” said the ambassador.

Maike Friedrichsen, Germany's ambassador to the country, also expressed concern about the scene of beaches contaminated by plastics, “this scene that many of you know very well and have experienced reflects a global crisis: the recent invasion of plastics in our oceans, ecosystems and communities.” In turn, she praised the project that also develops research initiatives through INTEC, “Caribe Circular is an emblematic regional project that has achieved a lot in a very short time.”

Meanwhile, the rector of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Julio Sánchez Maríñez, thanked the support of the countries of the European Union, including Germany, for the development of projects that promote the circular economy and promote research through the university laboratories. “Projects under the auspices of the circular economy are more vital than ever for the sustainability and resilience of the country, especially in these times of climate change, global warming, pandemic and other types of dangers,” he said.

Lenin Bueno Rodríguez, Deputy Minister of Environmental Management, stressed the importance of implementing effective measures to combat plastic pollution. “We have seen how waste management becomes a constant challenge for us, which requires effective infrastructure, policies and active training of all actors in society,” he said.

Among the initiatives, the installation of 7 circular collection stations for plastic waste (metal infrastructure) in the three pilot areas (4 in Samaná, 2 in Puerto Plata and 1 in Miches) was highlighted. These stations also have plastic waste collection routes. These stations allow for more effective waste management, facilitating recycling and ensuring that plastics are processed properly instead of ending up in the oceans.

Entrepreneurs and small businesses received training and technical support to implement efficient and sustainable waste management and recovery practices or create alternatives to single-use plastics, for example, with coconut fibers. The creation of three sustainable business models and three cases of circular models promote the prevention, reduction, recovery and recycling of plastic waste. These circular models not only contribute to the circular economy, but also generate economic opportunities for local communities.

Another significant achievement is the awareness-raising work in the communities and schools of Miches, Samaná and Puerto Plata. Through workshops, educational campaigns and community activities, greater awareness was raised about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling plastics. These activities have involved more than 9,000 students, teachers, community leaders and citizens, creating a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

 

Circular Economy

Caribe Circular promoted a transition towards a circular economy. With the support of the Ministry of Tourism, a “Case Pedernales Zero Plastics” Roadmap was developed, with a view to converting the tourist destination into a plastic-free model. The potential to reduce more than 18 tons of plastic waste was identified in 800 tourist facilities through the “Less Plastics Guide”, a qualitative and innovative tool. The port sector was incorporated, which developed and implemented action plans with the “Puerto Circulares” initiative.

The reuse of materials was promoted through an innovative digital system with a company of European origin, to provide reusable food and beverage containers for restaurants. This solution offered by VYTAL RD is already available in the country.

The Environmental Management Center of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (CEGA-INTEC) presented the first Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit in the country that will contribute to the reduction and substitution of the use of traditional plastics and, instead, bioplastic materials, characterized by being biodegradable, would be used.

Together with NUVI and the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic (LIDOM), the “Poncha el Plástico” campaign was implemented, which seeks to raise awareness and collect the largest amount of plastics generated in baseball games during the Winter Baseball seasons. During the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons, more than 135.000 PET bottles were collected, equivalent to 3.1 tons of plastic waste.

 “The results we have achieved are impressive. From implementing innovative solutions for waste management to creating strategic alliances between governments, businesses and academia, Caribe Circular has shown that change is possible. Every action “Together we can make a positive impact,” said Eva Ringhof, Director of Circular Caribbean at the German Development Cooperation, GIZ.

The event was a platform to celebrate these achievements and share experiences, but it also served as a time to make commitments to continue moving towards a more circular Caribbean.