Questions/Answers

The boost in the socioeconomic development of Mauritius Island has led to an increase in standard of living, which has eventually changed the production and consumption pattern of its population, thus, increasing the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) being generated. The sole Sanitary landfill at Mare Chicose which was initially constructed for the disposal of 400 tonnes per day of municipal solid wastes (MSW), and is now receiving 1200 tonnes per day and this is decreasing the lifespan of landfill. Given the fact that waste landfilling is the last waste treatment option in the Solid Waste Management hierarchy and that the MSW being disposed at the landfill contains more than 70% of organic wastes, composting is the most appropriate waste treatment technology for treating these types of wastes. The proper waste management practices is a main concern not only for the local government but for institutions and communities as well. The Mauritius Prison Service (MPS) came up with the project entitled “Sustainable Waste Management Practices at Petit Verger Prison” through its 10-year strategic plan (2013 -2023). Together with SGP, the University of Mauritius, Association Kinouété, the Mauritius Prison Service (MPS), Mouvement Civique de Pointe aux Sables (MCPAS) and the local community all contributed to the success of the project. Once the project was launched, information pamphlets were distributed to the local community to improve their knowledge and understanding of on composting, source-segregation practices, and sustainable waste management practices in the Petit Prison and the Pointe aux Sables community, and waste management in Mauritius. This was followed by training sessions for the detainees and prison officers on the basic principles and techniques of composting and compost use. Demonstration sessions were organized on how to produce compost using a rotary drum composter. They were also trained with the phytotoxicity and bioassay techniques to determine whether the compost was ready for use.

The aim of this project was to create meaningful and income generating activities for detainees who were in the process of rehabilitation, on a long term basis and at the same time including community involvement for waste separation and collection. The idea was also to change the perception that the community has on detainees and to facilitate the rehabilitation of detainees in their respective communities. The objectives of this project are: • To develop a sensitization campaign on wastes segregation at the prison and at the community level for green wastes. • To carry out a waste characterization study at the prison so as to identify potential waste treatment options in view of decreasing the amount of wastes going to the landfill. • To create meaningful activities for detainees in view of their rehabilitation and resettlement. • To train detainees and officers on the making of compost on a large-scale basis, for example, in windrow and to outline the various design requirements for a large-scale composting facility. • To generate income through sale of compost. • Uses of compost produced to the prison garden.

Vulnerable groups in this project referred to groups that experience a high risk of poverty and social exclusion. Normally, they do not enjoy meaningful participation in development activities and do not receive the benefit of development interventions. These groups include youth, elderly, disabled, poor, migrants and minority (religious, cultural, ethnic) members of a community. An important advantage accounting for the sustained interest in composting activities is that composting integrates well with women's triple roles: household and family care, income generation, and community management. These activities helped women and men detainees to acquire the necessary knowledge and techniques in compost making and uses. This was definitely be a stepping stone in their rehabilitation process as well as helping them become financially independent. The involvement of women and men was also crucial to the success of community-based Sustainable Waste Management practices project.

The local community in the vicinity of Petit Verger Prison, Pointe-aux-Sables was identified as close collaborators in the “Sustainable Waste Management Practices at Petit Verger Prison” project. Several sensitization campaigns were organized in the community of Pointe-aux-Sables. The objectives of the sensitization campaigns were as follows: a) To disseminate information on the project Sustainable Waste Management Practices at Petit Verger Prison among the community of Pointe aux Sables; b) To create an awareness on the waste management system in Mauritius; c) To sensitize the community on the importance of source-segregation practices; d) To provide guidance on sorting and collection of green wastes; and e) To introduce the concept of composting. Prior to the sensitization campaigns, pamphlets were designed so as to provide information on the project of Petit Verger Prison. The volunteered family were given green bin to keep their kitchen and garden wastes which were collected by the detainees under the supervision of prison officers.

Good practice technique used in the project is more effective at delivering the desired outcome. This implied having people who have an understanding of the problem, who work with the challenges daily and through often simple approaches find successful, innovative and sustainable solutions. Good practice initiatives have resulted in real improvements to the way that waste is managed in the community and at the prison. Good practices measures have been implemented at every stage, from the point of collection through transport, storage and treatment to final disposal. The principles of the waste hierarchy which include waste minimization, re-use and recycling, is supported to reduce disposal at landfill. The green waste collection service by the Prison Department is to collect the green waste being generated by the community and the preferred frequency of collection service is once a week. The reliability of the service is more important and is often sustained by an external contractor, as a contingency plan in case of breakdown of the vehicle. Regular and planned vehicle maintenance is carried out to ensure reliability of the collection service. A good monitoring and reporting system has been put in place so as to inform future planning. Monitoring highlights deficiencies in service delivery and need for improvements. A dedicated team (detainees) is ensured by rewards (Enhanced Earning Scheme being implemented by the Mauritius Prison Service for detainees) aimed at team performance.

The positive responses and the enthusiasm of the community and the detainees and the officers that was involved in the Sustainable Waste Management Practices at Petit Verger Prison project is a promising sign that behavior change can be effective. Through the sensitization campaigns and training, they were able to enhance their knowledge in sustainable waste management and has resulted in behavior that is more environmentally friendly. This project has also been an eye opener to many local government and other organisations. The University of Mauritius has provided valuable support in initiating and monitoring the Sustainable Waste Management Practices activities.

This composting project is one-of-its-kind in Mauritius especially in a public institution where there is involvement of detainees as well as of the community. The project was initiated through its 10 year strategic plan (2013 -2023) to reduce the high rate of reoffending in Mauritius and the “Pay Back Mauritius” scheme where the detainees are engaged in meaningful and worthwhile projects that establish or help to maintain community assets and services and thereby act to enhance community life. This project was an ideal opportunity given to the detainees to make constructive use of their time in prison and engage in a project to serve the community where they got the opportunity to pick up the technical skills that can help them when they are released. Around 2 tonnes of wastes are generated and collected by the prison for composting on a weekly basis Therefore, through the implementation of this project, the amount of wastes going to the landfill is being diverted. This project has also initiated the concept of source separation of wastes which is not the normal practice in Mauritius. This project has led to the creation of meaningful and income generating activities for detainees who are in the process of rehabilitation, on a long term basis and at the same time will include community involvement for waste separation and collection. The idea is also to change the perception that the community has on detainees and to facilitate the rehabilitation of detainees in their respective communities.

The Mauritius Prison Service is the first public institution who has set up a Green Waste Composting Facility for treating 2 tonnes of wastes per week. This project has also gained recognition in the report that has been prepared by Cazeau (2016), for the UN Joint Implementation Unit, quoted as follows: (1) page 10, paragraph 29: "In Mauritius, the team visited the prison of Petit Verger, where it could observe the positive impact of the GEF Small Grants Programme. The project on sustainable waste management, an initiative of the Mauritius prison service in collaboration with the Association Kinouété, combined socioeconomic and environmental dimensions, including the consideration of gender issues and focus on youth engagement and participation. It was facilitated through UNDP and conducted in collaboration with the University of Mauritius." and (2) page 31, footnote 80: "The team noted the significant impact of the GEF Small Grants Programme in different SIDS and was able to observe the benefits in Mauritius with, among others, the project of the Association Kinouété at the Petit Verger prison linking climate change and social issues."

A waste characterization study through a sensitization campaign was carried out. The wastes Theoretical training sessions were carried out on the basic principles and techniques of composting as well as on compost use. Demonstration sessions on how to produce compost using the rotary drum composter was also conducted for the detainees as well as for the prison officers. To scale up the compost production the prison preformed a windrow composting trial, by which the organic and biodegradable material was laid up in long rows, which were monitored and maintained by the detainees to meet the requirements of successful windrow composting processes. Based on the characteristics of the green wastes, it was estimated that around 470 m2 was required to compost the wastes in windrows in batches six weeks. Five windrows of dimensions 10 m (length) x 3 m (width) x 2m (height) were constructed. At the end of six weeks, the compost was removed to form curing piles of dimensions 5 m (length) x 2 m (width) x 1m (height). The windrows was constructed progressively with fresh wastes being added at the end of the windrow. Space for curing piles as well as for stacking of wastes and sieving compost were catered for.

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Waste characterisation study is important to carry out so as to obtain data on the current trends of various solid waste streams and which form the basic requirement to develop an integrated sustainable waste management plan. Therefore, data on different waste streams need to be analyzed for the current and projected scenarios so as to generate comprehensive information on the quantity and type of recyclable and recoverable materials. A baseline for continued long-term measurement of system performance needs to be developed and information be generated on the different sub-streams of waste to design, implement and monitor effective and efficient system for collection, transportation, recycling, treatment, recovery and disposal of various streams of solid waste. Moreover, a high level planning, financial planning, partnership working, good communication, learning and developing through training, management ability and capacity as well as the environmental impact are components to achieve an effective and sustainable project.

The initial characterization of the wastes in terms of moisture content, pH and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can be used in future waste treatment projects at the other prisons. The training sessions has equip the prison officers and detainees as well as the community with the necessary know-how and tools on compost making. The alleviation of waste disposal at the sole landfill and converting wastes into resources are in line with SDG 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts) and the rehabilitation of the detainees and involvement of the community are in line with SDGs 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere) and 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages). This project has helped the MPS to reduce the wastes being disposed of at the sole sanitary landfill as well as reduce the costs on the use of chemical fertilizers. The community in the vicinity of Petit Verger Prison is now more aware of the benefits of composting and in adopting sustainable waste management practices, thus enhancing community life. Moreover, the community has adopted a better attitude towards detainees which will eventually help detainees in their resettlement and reintegration in the community.

Continuous project monitoring and evaluation was carried out at specified intervals that had determined the project success and had helped the Mauritius Prison Service (MPS) to identify risks that may prevent these outcomes from being achieved. The MPS approach provided tangible value to the project success and include: • A clear view of the expectations of the various project stakeholders to create efficiencies in the project, benefit and control activities based on alignment with stakeholder expectations. • A unique and independent perspective on relevant risks at each phase of the project implementation, presenting an understandable view of the road block(s) that could potentially prevent the MPS from achieving project success. • Continuous feedback to project stakeholders and project manager(s) enabling them to proactively identify and address potential implementation risks before they significantly impact the project. • Transfer of knowledge, enhancing the MPS capabilities to successfully deliver future projects. Education and awareness programmes were carried out in various establishments and community so as to highlight the benefits of waste derived compost and the positive effects of compost use for soil improvement. Recycling and composting programmes were dispensed with the community so as to empower homeowners to take control of their environmental responsibilities. The development of a ‘Master’ composter group to support community composters and the establishment of a Mauritian community composting network was set up. Community composting has been promoted nationally as an effective and environmentally sound waste management option for organic waste.

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The two salient stakeholders that were fully engaged for the successful development of the project were University of Mauritius (UoM) and the NGO Kinouété Association. Whilst, other stakeholders namely the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development (Environment and Sustainable Development Division), Atics Ltd, Solid Waste Recycling Ltd, the community of Pointe-aux-Sables, and Mouvement Civique de Pointe-aux-Sables were interested and participated in the project. UoM was engaged in this project for their technical expertise and advice in this project. A technical report was submitted by UoM. Also, composting training contents was developed and a new Green waste Composting Facility was designed. Association Kinouété is a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) working since 2001 towards the rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees and ex-detainees in Mauritius. The rehabilitation and reintegration services it offers both inside and outside prison contribute to reduce recidivism amongst their beneficiaries and help marginalized people return to the mainstream. It also aims to reduce the amount of people affected by extreme poverty, through a process of empowerment and increased autonomy, especially through this project. The Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development (Environment and Sustainable Development Division) has expressed its interest in procuring the compost produced at Petit Verger Prison. Atics Ltd is continuing to provide its support in the project by offering transport facilities of green wastes from different collection points in the region of Pointe-aux-Sables to Petit Verger Prison (Composting site). Mouvement Civique de Pointe aux Sables is continuing to sensitize the inhabitants of the region to compost their green wastes.

Sustainable waste management requires coordinated and streamlined work at various stages of waste management. This project showcases the success and relative smooth implementation that follows the use of good practice techniques at every stage, from the point of collection through transport, storage, and treatment to final disposal. Capacity development is critical to the success of this project. Team members have been properly trained to understand the problem, work with the challenges involved on a daily basis, and look for simple approaches to successful, innovative and sustainable solutions are essential. An Enhanced Earning Scheme implemented by the Mauritius Prison Service ensures a dedicated team of detainees. Good practice initiatives have resulted in real improvements on how waste is managed in both the community and in the prison.