Networks & Educational Programs
Reducing organic waste across Small Island Developing States (SIDS) by fostering collaboration and promoting education on waste management across different sectors and stakeholders.
Download presentations and resources from specific country sessions
This section gathers key presentations delivered through the Home Composting Program’s workshops across Small Island Developing States. These resources reflect the discussions, knowledge, and practical experiences shared across participating communities to advance sustainable waste management practices. Explore and learn from the insights developed through these collaborative sessions!
Session #1: Compostaje de cadáveres y de digeridos
En esta sesión se presenta el marco institucional y las principales líneas de acción vinculadas a la gestión de residuos orgánicos en el sector agroindustrial. Además, se profundiza en los aspectos técnicos del compostaje de cadáveres y del compostaje de digeridos, destacando su papel clave en la valorización de residuos orgánicos y en la promoción de una producción más sostenible.
Session #2: Biodigestión
En esta sesión, se presentan las principales tecnologías de biodigestión y el potencial de biogás existente en el país. Se expone la política energética santafesina y el estado actual de la biodigestión anaeróbica, con un enfoque en la transición energética, el aprovechamiento de residuos agroindustriales, las oportunidades de financiamiento para productores y el impulso a la generación distribuida. Asimismo, se comparten los avances del INTA Castelar sobre el uso agrícola de los digeridos anaeróbicos y su papel en la reposición de la fertilidad del suelo.
Session #3: Biochar
En este webinar, expertos presentan el potencial del biochar como infraestructura de carbono, analizando experiencias industriales en América Latina, los procesos de pirólisis y las oportunidades emergentes en el mercado de créditos de carbono. También se exploran sus aplicaciones como solución circular para la gestión y valorización de residuos orgánicos, destacando sus beneficios para la recuperación de suelos, la reducción de emisiones y la integración en estrategias de economía circular. Finalmente, se presenta la Iniciativa Biochar Argentina, detallando su plan de acción hasta 2028.
Session #4: Normativa para Certificación de Compostaje y Digeridos
La sesión se llevó a cabo bajo la metodología “Clinic-based” dividiendo a los participantes en dos salas: Compostaje y Digeridos. Estas salas estuvieron orientadas al análisis de casos reales y al intercambio directo entre especialistas y participantes. En cada una se presentan los principales marcos normativos y requisitos técnicos para la certificación del compost y la aplicación agrícola de digeridos en Argentina (según corresponde). Se abordan los criterios sanitarios, ambientales y de calidad exigidos para garantizar la inocuidad, trazabilidad y uso seguro de estos productos, así como el rol de los organismos reguladores en los procesos de autorización y fiscalización.
Session #5: Uso de Subproductos
Este webinar reúne a expertos para explorar las estrategias de gestión y valorización de residuos orgánicos en los sectores porcino y frigorífico, abordando tecnologías y prácticas que permiten transformar estos materiales en recursos. También se presentan experiencias sobre el uso del digerido, el reciclado de residuos de faena animal y nuevas oportunidades para la incorporación de subproductos en cadenas de valor alimentarias.
Session #6: Modelo de Negocios
En esta sesión se abordan modelos de negocio para la valorización de residuos en granjas porcinas y frigoríficos vacunos. Se analizan alternativas tecnológicas como el biogás, sus componentes técnicos y económicos, y los principales indicadores financieros para evaluar la viabilidad de los proyectos. Además, se introduce el funcionamiento de los mercados de carbono y su potencial para mejorar la rentabilidad y contribuir a la mitigación del metano en el sector residuos.
Session #1: Local Organic Waste Management Plans
This session focused on presenting the structure of Local OWM (Organic Waste Management) Plans to be developed in Belizean Cities and Towns. It started with an overview of the national context, including key data on Belize’s current OWM situation, highlighting significant barriers and opportunities at the national level. Then, municipal government representatives from Dangriga and Buenos Aires (Argentina) shared their experience in the development of local OWM plans.
Session #2: Technologies Used for Organic Treatment
This session was focused on exploring opportunities for effective organic waste treatment, featuring key technologies presented by ImplementaSur’s technical team. It began with an overview of existing and innovative solutions for organic waste management. Then, practical case studies were presented, including composting and biochar pilot activities by the University of Belize, vermicomposting techniques by Escuela Secundaria Técnica México, biodigestion practices introduced by the Ministry of Public Utilities, and home composting initiatives in Belize and Belmopan. Each case study was followed by a brief Q&A segment to encourage interactive discussions and knowledge exchange.
Session #3: National Framework and Local Policies for Organic Waste
This session provided participants with an in-depth understanding of how policies at the national and local levels create pathways for building resilient and sustainable waste management systems. It has began with a regional view of public policies that regulate and promote a sustainable waste sector in LAC from CCAP, delving into practical examples of how public policies can drive innovation and promote sustainable waste management practices. Following this, there were two presentations made by the National Authority on Belize’s National Vision for waste management and anti-littering campaign. The session concluded with 2 case studies: i) Pila Verde, an innovative initiative by Santiago’s municipality in Brazil, and ii)San Pedro Town Council business waste fee system.
Session #4: Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) in Organic Waste Management
This session focused on key tools, policies, and practices for building effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems in organic waste management. The first presentation introduced core M&E concepts using Belize’s home composting program as an example. The case study from Colombia illustrated national-level implementation strategies demonstrating the practical implementation of M&E systems in the field, including indicators and follow-up strategies. The session also presented a proposed M&E framework tailored for Belize’s local organic waste management plans, offering a practical roadmap to track progress and ensure long-term impact.
Session #5: Organic Waste Management Plans & Capacity Building Workshop (In-person)
This in-person session included a presentation on Organic Waste Management (OWM) Plans, their structure, assessments required for their formulation, challenges, objectives, and actions, as well as the importance of incorporating Monitoring and Evaluation into implementation. During the workshop, various support and financial stakeholders also participated (no presentation available), with the objective of guiding local governments on opportunities and options for funding actions of their OWM Plans. A participatory round-table followed, where participants identified barriers and needs, financial opportunities, and key stakeholders based on two example actions. The session concluded with a presentation of tools to incentivize waste generators to separate waste at the source. Successful strategies implemented by local governments in other countries were shared.
Session #6: Recyclers in Action – Leading the Organic Waste Transformation
This session highlighted the vital yet often overlooked role of recyclers in organic waste management and methane reduction efforts. It showcased inspiring efforts that place informal recyclers at the center of organic waste strategies. Two cases, from Kenya and Brazil, were presented, showing how the formalization, strengthening, and integration of waste picker associations or cooperatives improved their capacity to manage organic waste. The Belize Recycling Waste Management Association (BRWMA) shared key challenges and opportunities in Belize.
Session #7: Building a Waste Fee Structure in Local Governments
This session aimed to address one of Belize’s key challenges in developing sustainable waste management systems: establishing local waste fee structures for residential and commercial sectors. The webinar explored the process of creating or updating these fees, presented relevant regulations, and shared both success stories and challenges from their design, implementation, and adjustment.
Session #8: Organic Waste Valorization at the Local Level: The Role of Education and the Community as a Driver of Change
This session, held in partnership with the Community of Practice on Reduction of Methane Emissions from Organic Sources in Latin America and the Caribbean (MetLAC), brought together diverse stakeholders from ten countries to exchange knowledge and strengthen capacities. Focusing on organic waste valorization at the local level, the introductory presentation highlighted the crucial role of education and community engagement in advancing composting and organic waste management. The session then explored how schools and communities are driving change, with experiences from Grenada and Belize showcasing successful community engagement in composting initiatives.
Session #9: Circular Solutions for Agro-industrial Waste in Belize
This webinar brought together key actors from the agro-industrial sector to share successful experiences in organic waste valorization and circular economy practices. It featured initiatives from Uganda on on-farm composting and cattle-manure biodigestion, followed by the successful implementation of biodigestion practices in small pig-farming operations in Samoa, and concluded with experiences using compost produced from sugarcane-industry waste streams in Belize. Together, these examples demonstrated how diverse initiatives are transforming organic residues into valuable resources that support more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems, while inspiring actions that close material loops, improve soil health, and reduce production costs.
Session #10: Valorizing By-products and Unlocking Value from Food Loss and Waste
This session examined food loss and waste and the market for organic by-products from recovered organic waste. It highlighted Saint Lucia’s Solid Waste Authority experience in developing and operating a composting plant at the Deglos Sanitary Landfill, promoting green waste diversion and markets for mulch and compost. The session also showcased The PLEDGE on Food Waste Certification and its global impact in the hospitality and food service sectors, demonstrating cost savings and efficiency gains. Finally, from an academic perspective, the experience in Trinidad and Tobago focused on exploring emerging opportunities and technologies for recovering waste generated during the processing of locally produced fruits and vegetables. The webinar provided participants with practical insights and real-world examples to support the design and implementation of more circular and resilient waste management systems.
Local Organic Waste Management Plans
Based on the Network and the commitment of the municipalities, the Recycle Organics Program collaborated with four local governments to develop their local Organic Waste Management Plans, detailing specific short-, medium-, and long-term objectives and actions.
Session #1: Local Organic Waste Management Plans in the Hospitality Sector
The first session of the Network covered opportunities of organic waste management for the hospitality sector. It started with an introduction to the organic fraction of waste and the existing technologies to manage it. Then it focused on sharing benefits for hotels, including cost savings, sustainability, and brand enhancement. The session offered practical strategies and provided actionable steps for immediate implementation of source separation.
Session #2: Waste Segregation Techniques – The Key to Effective Waste Management
This session provided a comprehensive overview of best practices, common challenges, and actionable strategies for hotels to implement an effective waste segregation system. Participants gained insights into the importance of proper waste separation, regulatory compliance, and innovative solutions to reduce waste contamination.
Session #3: Composting and Its Environmental Benefits
This session focused on the basic principles and science behind composting, offering participants a clear understanding of what materials could and could not be composted. It explored different composting methods, including aerobic, anaerobic, and in-vessel systems, while emphasizing the environmental benefits of composting such as methane reduction and soil health improvement. The discussion also highlighted how composting contributes to national sustainability efforts and supports the transition toward circular economy goals.
