The Mauritian government has made significant progress in promoting sustainable waste management by distributing 3,850 compost bins to households and various organizations between August 26, 2022, and October 31, 2026. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Environment, aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to the Mare-Chicose landfill and encourage better waste management practices. The compost bins, with a capacity of 220 liters each, were purchased by the Solid Waste Management Division of the Ministry.
As of October 31, 2026, 1,150 compost bins out of the 5,000 purchased in June 2022 remained undistributed. Out of these, 48 bins will be allocated to new applicants. The Minister of Environment presented this update to the National Assembly on November 10, 2026. The distributed compost bins have been provided to a wide range of beneficiaries, including households, ministries, NGOs, schools, universities, sociocultural associations, cooperatives, environmental clubs, and public and medical institutions.
A significant surge in distribution was observed between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2026, with 2,544 compost bins being handed over to beneficiaries. The Ministry also conducted an exercise between January 28 and February 20, 2026, where individuals who had submitted applications since 2022 were invited to collect their compost bins from one of the three transfer stations. However, only 240 out of 640 individuals turned up to collect their bins.
The Ministry of Environment has taken note that some beneficiaries are not fully utilizing their compost bins. A survey conducted among beneficiaries revealed that several individuals and organizations require training to effectively use the compost bins. In response, the Ministry plans to provide training to new beneficiaries and conduct awareness campaigns among community groups.
To further promote sustainable waste management practices, the Ministry intends to distribute compost bins to primary and secondary schools. The compost generated can be used in existing school gardens and vegetable plots. This initiative is expected to educate students about the importance of proper waste management and encourage them to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
The compost bins are equipped with tools for mixing compost, and the remaining bins are stored at transfer stations in La Laura, La Chaumière, and Poudre-d’Or. The distribution of compost bins is part of a broader effort to reduce the amount of waste sent to the Mare-Chicose landfill and promote sustainable waste management practices in Mauritius.
The Ministry of Environment’s initiative has shown promising results, with 3,850 compost bins distributed to date. The Ministry’s efforts to educate and train beneficiaries on the effective use of compost bins will be crucial in achieving the desired outcomes of reduced waste and improved waste management practices.
Key points
- 3,850 compost bins have been distributed in Mauritius since August 2022.
- The compost bins have a capacity of 220 liters each and come with tools for mixing compost.
- The Ministry of Environment plans to provide training to new beneficiaries and conduct awareness campaigns among community groups.
