Save Our Seas: Dominican Republic

Solid waste management challenges in the Dominican Republic are complex and multidimensional. One in four households do not have access to waste collection services. There is a lack of coordinated resources for community engagement and behavior change and weak implementation of the national legal framework for establishing local action plans and policies. Open dump sites also present a range of serious environmental and human health concerns, including environmental degradation, water contamination, and air pollution.

Under the Save our Seas Initiative, USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program has been developing, testing, and implementing new models that promote the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and enhance solid waste management (SWM) through four guiding objectives: strengthen local and regional markets for recycled plastics; build social and behavior change; increase capacity and effective SWM governance; and facilitate public-private partnerships. The program also focuses on improving the resilience and capacity of provinces to guarantee waste collection during flooding and extreme weather events.

Current Programs

Clean Cities Blue Ocean (2019-2025)

CCBO is a five-year, global program working in rapidly urbanizing focal countries across Asia and Latin America to target ocean plastics directly at their source. CCBO works to improve solid waste management systems in areas that are at the heart of the global plastic pollution crisis, build capacity and commitment for the 3Rs, and promote sustainable social and behavior changes. In support of these objectives, CCBO partners with national and local governments, members of the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and local women’s and youth organizations. CCBO is implemented by Tetra Tech ARD, in association with The Manoff Group and International City/County Management Association.

Dominican Republic Solid Waste Reduction Program (2024-2029)

The Dominican Republic Solid Waste Reduction Program, implemented by Winrock International, will work in the northern coast of the country to reduce waste in municipalities, support circularity, and work closely with the private sector leading to cleaner oceans.