Waste and Inequality: How Suriname’s Waste Affects Our Most Vulnerable Communities?

Here in Suriname, waste is a topic we’ve all talked about. Who hasn’t seen a plastic bag floating in the Suriname Rivier, or a pile of rubbish in a ditch on the way home? But have we ever thought about how that waste is connected to something much bigger: inequality and climate justice?

The Reality of Our Waste: Beyond What We See

It’s a harsh reality: Suriname, like many developing countries, faces a major challenge with waste management. It’s not just the waste that reaches the Ornamibo landfill; it’s the waste that doesn’t, the waste that ends up in our districts, in our streets, or worse, in our rivers and mangroves. This waste not only spoils the landscape but is a symptom of a deeper problem.

Think about this:

• Open-air landfills: Places like Ornamibo, though necessary, generate methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. This methane contributes directly to climate change, warming our planet. And who lives near these landfills? Often, communities with fewer resources, who disproportionately suffer from air and water pollution.

• Waste in our communities: When there isn’t an efficient or accessible collection system for everyone, waste accumulates. This not only creates odors and attracts pests but can contaminate drinking water and increase the risk of diseases, especially affecting children.

• Plastics in our rivers and oceans: Bottles, bags, and containers that end up in our beautiful rivers don’t disappear. They travel, decompose into microplastics, and harm our marine life. This directly affects fishing communities and our rich biodiversity, endangering not only nature but also the livelihood of many families.

The Undeniable Connection to Climate Justice

Poor waste management is not just an environmental problem; it’s a social justice problem. Communities that are already vulnerable—those with less access to health services, education, or sanitation—are the ones who suffer most from the consequences of waste pollution.

Let’s imagine a scenario:

A family in a coastal village, where fishing is their life. River-borne waste accumulates on their beaches, scaring away fish and polluting the water. Their children, playing nearby, can get sick. At the same time, landfill emissions contribute to climate change, raising sea levels and threatening their homes. All of this, while businesses and consumers in other parts of the world (and also here, in our cities) continue to generate a disproportionate amount of waste. Is it fair for this family to pay the highest price?

Measuring Our “Waste Footprint”: Where Does What We Throw Away Come From?

It’s easy to blame “others” or the “government,” but as young people and parents, it’s crucial that we look at our own “waste footprint.” How many single-use plastics do we buy each week? Do we separate our waste at home? Do we reflect on the origin of the products we consume? Much of the waste that ends up polluting Suriname is the result of our daily consumption decisions. Imported products, often with excessive packaging, add to the waste challenge in our country.

Our opinion is that we are part of the problem, but that empowers us to be part of the solution.

Proposals for Change: An Effort for Everyone

To address this problem, we need a multifaceted approach where every actor plays their part:

• Role of the Government: We need clear and ambitious policies for integrated waste management. This includes improving collection systems, creating more accessible recycling centers in all districts, investing in waste treatment technologies that generate less impact, and, crucially, implementing stricter regulations for companies that produce excessive plastic packaging.

• Role of Businesses: Companies must assume their extended producer responsibility. They must innovate to reduce packaging, offer reusable alternatives, and finance the collection and recycling of their own products. A good example would be a deposit-return system for plastic bottles.

• Our Individual and Family Responsibility: This is where you and your family come in:

  • Reduce: The best waste is the one that is not generated. Buy fewer unnecessary things, choose products with less packaging, bring your own reusable bag to the market.

  • Reuse: Give things a second life. Glass bottles, jars, bags. Creativity is key.

  • Recycle: If your community has a recycling system, use it. If not, push for it to be implemented. Separate your waste at home.

  • Compost: If possible, organic food and garden waste can be turned into compost, significantly reducing the amount of waste that goes to the landfill.

Waste and inequality are intertwined. Recognizing this connection drives us to seek solutions that not only clean our streets but also promote equity and justice for all communities in Suriname.

As young people and parents, what responsibilities do we have in managing our waste? What small action can you implement today in your home or community in Meerzorg, Paramaribo, or wherever you are in Suriname, to reduce your “waste footprint” and contribute to a more just future?