This announcement was made this morning by the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr. Kavydass Ramano, during the launching of an exhibition organised by Super U, in Grand-Bay.
The exhibition that focused on the initiatives of SUPER U to contribute to the circular economy of Mauritius, was launched by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Prithvirajsing Roopun.
In his address on the occasion, Minister Ramano lauded the commitment taken by Super U to implement actions for a sustainable environment and participate in the country’s transition to a circular economy.
He emphasised that protecting and preserving the environment is at the core of Government’s agenda and stressed on the crucial need for a change in mindset of all citizens for an effective transition to a green, clean and circular economy.
The Environment Minister stated that that with a current annual 540 000 tons of waste being collected each year in the country, and with the Mare Chicose Sanitary Landfill reaching a saturation point, it is crucial to have a paradigm shift as regards our waste management system.
He indicated that among these waste materials, 50-60% are compostable and 20-30% recyclable, which he said, can be recovered within a circular economy.
Furthermore, the Minister dwelt on the benefits of establishing a circular economy, including the continual use of resources, utilising materials at their highest utility and value at all times and using waste materials for the production of new products.
This shift in waste management, he said, will enable the country to win against climate change and make its transition to a cleaner and greener economy for the benefit of future generations.
As regards the setting up of the Civic Amenity Centres, he pointed out that it is a major step towards our transition to the circular economy. Mr.Ramano underpinned the importance of having this facility, which is to enable the public to dispose of bulky wastes, free of charge. He further added that his Ministry is seeking to collaborate with the Ministry of Housing and Land Use Planning for the setting up of more such facilities for the public in general.
On that note, he announced the setting up of three additional Civic Amenity Centres at Poudre D’Or, Roche Bois and La Brasserie.
A second Civic Amenity Centre set up at La Laura will be operational as from this Thursday 28 October 2021.
He also added that the implementation phase of the Solid Waste management Strategy, that has been funded by the Agence Française de Développement, has been completed. He informed that a Transaction Advisor will be recruited to kickstart the setting up of a composting facility and a recycling facility.
The Minister also spoke about another major project in the pipeline, the Greening of the Public Sector.
