Challenge
Latin America and the Caribbean face major challenges in waste management due to demographic and economic growth, with a regional recycling rate of just 4.5%. The Dominican Republic, although it has Law 225 on the Comprehensive Management of Solid Waste, shows low levels of recycling and waste recovery, particularly for plastics. The law, passed in 2020, aims to promote waste recovery, improve collection systems, and mitigate environmental impacts.
In response to this situation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources have funded a consultancy aimed at analyzing alternatives to increase plastic packaging recycling in the Dominican Republic. This report presents the results of that analysis, which includes a comprehensive approach to assessing sustainable alternatives and strengthening the circular economy in the country.
Our solution
4S conducted a legal analysis with a comparative perspective on policies and performance related to plastic packaging management in the country and across Latin America and the Caribbean.
In addition, two participatory workshops were held with key stakeholders, enabling the sharing and validation of results at each stage of the project. Through a life cycle assessment (LCA), sustainable and viable options were evaluated to replace the packaging identified by Law 225—plastic bags, PET bottles, and foam containers—with more sustainable alternatives, taking into account their technical, economic,
Impact
The project made it possible to develop recommendations for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, focused on both public policy and technical interventions. In terms of policy, it was suggested to implement stronger regulations to encourage recycling and eco-design, promoting the transition toward a circular economy.
AOn the technical side, specific actions were recommended to reduce the use of single-use packaging. These included social awareness campaigns, the implementation of economic and regulatory incentives for companies that produce packaging from recycled materials, and the promotion of appropriate recycling infrastructure. Gradual transition plans were also proposed to completely phase out the use of materials such as foam in food trays.
Additionally, the continuation of a series of participatory actions was proposed, aimed at assessing the feasibility of new sustainable materials and keeping the conversation alive on the necessary transition toward more sustainable models within Dominican society.
