THE HAGUE – Aruba is exploring the possibility of establishing a regional waste management partnership with Bonaire and potentially Curaçao, as Caribbean islands within the Kingdom continue to face growing challenges related to waste disposal, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
The initiative was discussed during the Kingdom Relations Committee debate held in the Dutch House of Representatives on May 27, where concerns were raised about the worsening waste situation on Bonaire and the need for a more coordinated regional approach.
During the debate, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg confirmed that Aruba had specifically raised the issue of waste management during consultations with the European Commission. Discussions included opportunities for cooperation between the islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
“Of course, it makes sense to also look at Curaçao,” Van der Burg told lawmakers, adding that Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman is “clearly open to cooperation” on the matter.
The discussions come as Aruba develops plans for circular waste processing linked to the refinery area on the island, while Bonaire continues to struggle with longstanding issues surrounding its main landfill site.
The debate focused heavily on the situation at Lagun Landfill, commonly known as Selibon. Members of Parliament voiced concerns about health risks, recurring fires, environmental impacts, and governance challenges associated with waste management on Bonaire.
Representatives of the Dutch parliamentary faction of GroenLinks-PvdA argued that the Leeward Islands should jointly examine how waste can be processed more efficiently and sustainably.
According to Van der Burg, some progress has already been made on Bonaire. Measures have been introduced to improve the storage of medical waste, and authorities are working on stronger enforcement mechanisms to address waste-related problems. However, the state secretary acknowledged that both waste processing and the export of waste remain costly due to the islands’ geographic location and limited economies of scale.
The prospect of regional cooperation is seen as a potential way to reduce costs while improving environmental outcomes. By combining resources and infrastructure, the islands could potentially develop more efficient waste treatment systems than would be possible individually.
The debate also expanded beyond waste management to address broader development challenges facing the Caribbean Netherlands. Lawmakers highlighted Bonaire’s rapid population growth and the increasing pressure this places on public services and infrastructure.
Van der Burg noted that 52 percent of children entering Bonaire’s school system now speak neither Dutch nor Papiamentu as their first language, creating additional demands on educational and social services.
In addition, the Dutch government announced that after the summer it will present proposals on how to allocate €30 million earmarked for the Caribbean Netherlands. The funding is expected to support initiatives related to social security, infrastructure improvements, and economic development.
For Curaçao, the discussions could open the door to future participation in a regional waste management strategy, potentially allowing the island to collaborate with neighboring Aruba and Bonaire on one of the Caribbean’s most persistent environmental challenges.