Mauritius Distributes 3,850 Compost Bins to Cut Landfill Waste
Since August 2022, nearly 4,000 compost bins have been handed out across Mauritius to reduce pressure on the Mare-Chicose landfill, with training sessions planned.
Mauritius has distributed 3,850 compost bins since August 2022 as part of a government effort to cut the volume of organic waste being sent to the country's main landfill, the Minister of Environment told the National Assembly in November.
Each bin has a capacity of 220 litres and has been given out to households and community groups across the island. The scheme is designed to encourage residents to compost food and garden waste at home, reducing the amount of rubbish that ends up at Mare-Chicose, the landfill site located in the south of Mauritius that has long been under pressure from the island's growing waste volumes.
Mare-Chicose is Mauritius's principal waste disposal facility and has been operating beyond its originally intended lifespan. Reducing the organic fraction of waste arriving there is seen as a priority, since decomposing organic matter produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and accelerates the exhaustion of landfill space.
Along with the distribution programme, the government has announced that training sessions are planned to teach participants how to compost effectively at home. Composting done correctly produces a nutrient-rich material that can be used to improve soil in gardens and small-scale farming, which aligns with a secondary goal of the scheme: promoting home gardening among Mauritians.
The figures were presented to parliament as part of a ministerial update, signalling that composting has become a formal pillar of the country's waste management strategy rather than a one-off initiative.
What this means: For residents who receive a compost bin, the scheme offers a practical way to reduce household rubbish and produce free fertiliser for gardens. For the country as a whole, every tonne of organic waste diverted from Mare-Chicose extends the life of the landfill and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The planned training sessions will be key to making sure the bins are actually used correctly, since composting requires some basic know-how to avoid odours or pests. Mauritians interested in joining the scheme or attending future training sessions should contact the Ministry of Environment for details on eligibility and distribution points.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
How many compost bins has Mauritius distributed and how big are they?β
As of November 2024, Mauritius had distributed 3,850 compost bins since August 2022. Each bin has a capacity of 220 litres and was provided under a government scheme managed by the Ministry of Environment.
Why is composting important for Mauritius?β
Mauritius relies heavily on the Mare-Chicose landfill in the south of the island, which has been under severe capacity pressure for years. Composting organic waste at home reduces the volume of rubbish sent to the landfill, cuts methane emissions from decomposing matter, and produces free fertiliser for gardens.
Will there be training on how to use the compost bins in Mauritius?β
Yes. The Minister of Environment confirmed to the National Assembly that training sessions are planned to help residents compost correctly at home. No specific dates were announced at the time of the parliamentary update.
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