In fulfillment of Belize’s Marine Litter Action Plan, Cefas engaged WREN to undertake a feasibility study examining investment needs for ports infrastructure to enable MARPOL-compliant waste management activities across Belize’s jurisdiction. The Port(s) Upgrade Feasibility Project is a necessary step for Belize, as a signatory to MARPOL, in evaluating how MARPOL-compliant waste facilities may be established in-country. The associated non-monetary costs of non-compliance have been recognized by the Belize Government in its range of guiding documents directing the nation toward sustainability, coastal zone management, and blue economy-focused governance. Coupled with the diplomatic imperative to fulfill its obligations on the international stage, Belize gains no benefit from inaction. The two alternative scenarios remaining for the Government of Belize are to upgrade facilities under a public sector-led and operated model or establish a public-private partnership model for the operational management of MARPOL-compliant port waste reception facilities.
To avoid losses associated with environmental degradation of the coastal and in-shore marine environment of Belize, an integrated waste management system is needed to enable collection, separation, consolidation, and transportation of waste materials from those ports without the international traffic and waste quantities to merit investment in full-scale port waste reception facilities. The study included a situational analysis and cost-benefit assessment, with findings and recommendations grounded in literature review and stakeholder consultations.
