Sorting Grenada’s Waste: Reflections & Insights from a Waste Characterization Study
The Recycle Organics Program coordinated a new waste characterization study at Grenada’s Perseverance Landfill. Here’s what we learned.
By: Hayden Redhead, Recycle Organics Local Consultant in Grenada
Key Takeaways:
- Sorting waste is not glamorous but necessary to understand what Grenadians discard and what ultimately ends up at the landfill
- Organic waste was the most prevalent type of waste arriving at the landfill, followed by plastics
- Waste haulers are very interested in getting involved in the process to encourage and build a system of waste separation at the source
In Grenada, the Recycle Organics Program (with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada) coordinated an updated Waste Characterization Study at the Perseverance Landfill—a facility that serves around 95% of the island nation’s population. As part of the Recycle Organics team, I had the opportunity to be a part of this crucial study conducted over two separate one-week intervals (May 2025 and July 2025). The time gap was intentional—to capture seasonal changes (dry vs. rainy) and to highlight how waste patterns shift during the peak tourism season, especially around July.
The research gathered during the 2025 study comes nearly eight years after the previous one. While the region has seen no major demographic shifts, waste volume at the landfill surged by 25,637.50 tons between 2017 and 2023—a staggering 65.91% increase. This underscores the urgency for data-driven planning and action.
To align with previous studies, this waste sampling and categorization exercise was conducted using the European standards (EN 14899, EN 15002, CEN/TR 15310, EN ISO 17025, and XP X30-413) that has been adopted by Grenada and other countries in the region.
Happening all on-site, the team collected the waste and then categorized it by source, weight and composition, sorting it into 46 categories under 12 major groups. The Unite Caribbean team was supported by Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority’s (GSWMA) Resource Recovery Technicians handling the bulk of the waste sorting, with regular hands-on support from the Recycle Organics staff. The more technical tasks, like reviewing the sorted waste, weighing the waste and recording the data was conducted by the GSWMA staff.
This detailed data helps identify key trends, emerging issues and opportunities for recycling and reuse, while also guiding future investments and institutional planning. The study included both theoretical and practical training for local participants—supporting long-term technical capacity building in the country.
What we Learned
The results of the study were generally consistent with previous findings, with organic waste representing the largest share of the total waste sampled—31%—based on the combined results from both characterization exercises (May and July). This remains the predominant fraction of waste disposed of at the landfill, although it is significantly lower than the Caribbean benchmark of 52%. Understanding the reasons behind this discrepancy will be an important area of analysis for the GSWMA.
Beyond organic waste, the second most prevalent material category was various types of plastics, which accounted for an average of 23.1% across both exercises. This finding was particularly evident during field sampling, where single-use plastic packaging from a wide range of food products was commonly observed in the waste stream.
Of particular note was the anticipated increase in technological waste like cell phones and accessories, computers and computer parts and a wide assortment of batteries and cables.
Building Capacity in the Waste Sector
The capacity-building training led by Unite Caribbean was recognized as a critical and innovative component of the study. Participants received both theoretical instruction in a classroom setting and hands-on practical training directly at the landfill during the waste sampling process. Trainees included staff from GSWMA, members of the Perseverance Resource Recovery Team, waste haulers and a director from the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (Grenada Chapter).
This practical experience is expected to strengthen local capacity for future waste characterization studies—leading to more accurate data collection and greater self-reliance. It marks an important first step toward enabling local stakeholders to carry out regular studies without depending on external consultants.
This study has compiled valuable data to inform government decisions on finding better ways to manage the organic fraction of waste through the GSWMA, which includes fostering relationships with external parties that are seeking to use waste as a resource.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Grenada’s opportunity is no longer only about planning resource recovery—it’s about scaling and strengthening what is already happening. At the Perseverance Landfill, after the waste characterization was conducted, Grenada Grows started composting organics on-site, proving that large-scale diversion is feasible and creating a pathway for compost to support agriculture and home gardening. The next step is to unlock this facility’s full potential by increasing volume and, critically, improving feedstock quality through stronger source separation practices—especially from large organic waste generators and key green-waste streams.
At the same time, Grenada has a complementary foundation for dry recyclables: the GSWMA’s Recycling Facility in Queen’s Park, St. George, where paperboard/cardboard from commercial sources and PET bottles are recovered. The waste characterization concludes that, “When examined together, the results demonstrate that organics, plastics and cardboard collectively represent about 65% of Grenada’s total MSW by weight. This composition highlights the dominant role of biodegradable packaging materials across all parishes.”
These initiatives point toward a practical direction for the waste sector: build an integrated system where organics and priority recyclables are captured consistently, contamination is reduced and recovery operations can grow in a reliable, cost-effective way.
This waste characterization study reinforces why that matters: organics remain the largest fraction of waste arriving at Perseverance, and targeted diversion—paired with sustained engagement from haulers and generators—can deliver near-term wins while generating the operational evidence needed for broader policy and investment decisions.
Learn more about the study here.
Hayden Redhead has been an activist for the environment and the protection of biodiversity for the last 30+ years. During this time, he has amassed considerable experience in many fields, including ecosystem services, invasive alien species, Grenada’s freshwater aquatic species, marine pollution, composting, as well as the identification, uses and preservation of wild medicinal and aromatic herbs.
Hayden has held roles within the region that include Project Coordinator for the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI), Project Coordinator for the Caribbean Cooperative MRV Hub and Local Consultant for the Recycle Organics Program.
Hayden maintains a deep commitment to educating the youth and often participates in school-based environmental programs as well as hosting class & field trips at his home: the Redhead Homestead.