A resource recovery depot project has been launched by Jua Kali Ltd.

Jua Kali is a profit-for-purpose social enterprise that seeks to provide sustainable waste management solutions in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), brokered through strategic partnerships. The idea is the passion project of Laurah John, which stemmed from her Master’s research on poverty reduction and sustainable solid waste management in Saint Lucia. The concept won Ms John and her eight-person team the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum Startup Weekend Entrepreneurship Competition, held in Paris, France.

Every Saturday, from Sep. 16 to Nov. 11, consumers will have the opportunity to earn Massy Stores Reward Points by bringing in their household glass and plastic bottles, jars, and containers to a resource recovery depot. The “pop-up shop” styled depots will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at four Massy Stores locations.
A World Bank report on global solid waste management revealed that Saint Lucia generates 4.35 kilograms of municipal waste per capita. The last major effort to control the island’s waste came in 2003 when the Deglos Sanitary landfill was established. We are now approaching the last few years of its projected twenty-year lifespan.

Waste, and how we deal with it, is an increasingly urgent issue faced by most Small Island Developing States like Saint Lucia, but it also offers an occasion to pioneer bold and innovative approaches that have positive economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Jua Kali Ltd. is poised to take advantage of these opportunities. It has identified an opportunity through waste management to bring to the fore a different mindset that seeks to do “more good” versus “less bad”. Furthermore, it seeks to introduce a new business model that can create new forms of financial and extra-financial value. This pilot project represents one critical step in the larger agenda to transform solid waste management and move Saint Lucia towards a dynamic and resilient circular economy.

The Jua Kali team is supported by a pool of committed local, regional and international technical advisers whom are called upon based on the expertise required.

The project was made possible through collaboration with Massy Stores Saint Lucia, and with the corporate social investments made by the following businesses: Harris Paints Saint Lucia, Caribbean Metals Limited, Calabash TV and AllBiz Limited, The Cell, St. Lucia Electricity Services (LUCELEC), Helen Television System and Radio 100, Choice TV, Blue Waters Saint Lucia Ltd, and Sol Petroleum. Additional support is being provided by the Government of Saint Lucia, Volunteer Saint Lucia, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Saint Lucia National Trust SLNT).

Jua Kali Ltd. was incorporated in Saint Lucia, in Aug. 2014.