Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

10.3.4 Solid Waste Impacts
The generation of solid waste relates to both the construction and operational phases of the
proposed project. The construction phase activities has the capacity to generate substantial
volumes of solid wastes. This varies from felled trees and shrubbery in relation to land-clearing,
to concrete mouldings and form boards from the erection of buildings, to styrofoam packaging,
wooden planks and metal strips from shipping crates. Other significant solid waste components
from the construction phase includes: PVC piping, masonry slabs and chippings, food
wrappings, aluminum cans and beverage cartons, as well as plastic and glass bottles are also
expected to be a substantial part of the solid waste. Discarded food is also a relevant solid waste
item during the construction phase.
During the operational phase of the project solid waste constituent is expected to span a wide
range of possibilities, encompassing food discards, plastics, paper, glass, metals, rubber and
wood. The food discard component is expected to increase by orders of magnitude given the
relatively large numbers of clientele forecasted. Most of the other solid waste components are
also expected to increase, especially plastics, paper and glass.
The proposed management scheme for solid waste for the ABR Project Site involves the initial
separation of the garbage into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components. The
biodegradable components are to then be composted on site using an ‘Earth Tub’: This reduces
the wastes to a semi-dry mulch and organic fertilizer for gardens and hedge rows.
During the construction phase of the project, the vegetation accruing from land clearing is to be
collected and burned on-site.
The non-biodegradables components are to be assimilated at the project site and transported to
the San Pedro municipal dump site two (2) to three (3) times per week.
The two (2) main environmental issues related to the generation and management of solid waste
are the potential for the attraction of feral animals to the site, and the potential for increasing the
abundance of nuisance insects. The attraction of feral animals to the main area would be as a
result of the increased availability of food in the form of discards from the restaurants and other
vending outlets. The animals relevant in this regard would vary from the raccoon (Procyon lotor)
to the opossum (Philander opossum), and include vagrant and opportunistic birds such as the
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and the Frigate
Bird ((Fregata magnificens).
The primary impact has been assessed as ‘2’ or ‘moderate’ in scope [See Table 10.1] and is
associated with the occupancy of the resort and residential facilities during the operational phase
of the development.
The only secondary impact of note would be in regards to the land-based ecosystems [See Table
10.1]. These impacts have both been assessed in the ‘minor deleterious’ category. The ‘minor’
element of the designation relates to the fact that there is to be little or no discarded food lying
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