Jamaica Project
The Problem of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is Our Opportunity:
Jamaica like most countries has a garbage problem. Headlines like “Landfill blaze causing health problems in Jamaica[1]” serve as a reminder of the health and environmental hazards presented by the waste that modern life creates.
The proper management of waste is posing a serious challenge to Jamaica’s sustainability. One of the main problems is that like many other developing countries, Jamaica lacks the technical and financial resources to adequately manage waste. This has resulted in inefficient and inadequate collection, treatment and disposal. This problem is further exacerbated by the lack of a comprehensive and integrated waste management policy. Another challenge relates to the complexities brought about by the different types and nature of wastes with which the country has to contend.[2]
MSW from the 2.7 million inhabitants of the Jamaica is dumped at four wastesheds comprising a total of eight dumpsites around the island. The wastesheds (including the parishes they cover) are North Eastern Parks and Markets, Metropolitan Parks and Markets (Riverton), Southern Parks and Markets and Western Parks and Markets. Domestic solid waste represents approximately 70.0 per cent of the estimated total solid waste generated while commercial/industrial solid waste represents about 30 per cent.[3]
Ridge Partners intends to help reduce the volume of MSW by processing approximately half of the MSW dumped at the landfills. Ridge Partners will utilize the waste stream to produce renewable synthetic diesel fuel as well as other commodities. The fuel produced meets and exceeds the ASTM D-975 standard and is Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel meaning it contains less than 15 parts per million of sulfur.
This news should be especially appealing to the government as it will double the length of time that the landfill sites can operate before reaching capacity.
In addition to reducing landfill requirements this technology can provide fuel for the countries transportation sector which will offset imported petroleum products thus having a positive affect on the nation’s balance of trade.
Ridge Partners will help Jamaica solve these problems with proven technology that can be seen in the video below.
Ridge Partners is committed to helping solve the problems caused by municipal solid waste in Jamaica. When fully implemented our plan can eliminate over 90% of the waste that enters the landfill while producing renewable, synthetic Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel for use in the nation’s transportation sector.
For more information contact Tom Kluber tkluber@ridgepartnersllc.net
[1] http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2015/03/16/landfill-blaze-causing-health-problems-in-jamaica/
[2] UNEP Global Environment Outlook, 2000 2 Estimated from Waste Characterization Study at the Riverton Landfill, National Solid Waste Management Authority, 2006.
[3] MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS & SOLID WASTES IN JAMAICA, Sustainable Development and Regional Planning Division Planning Institute of Jamaica, November 2007