Environmental Considerations

Barbados is a small island state whose economy relies heavily on tourism and foreign investment; as a result, care of the environment is high on the Government's agenda.

The Government provides a free garbage collection service to all households in the islands.  The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Physical Development and the Environment encompass a number of specialised units, including the Coastal Zone Management Unit, Environment Special Projects Unit, National Conservation Commission and the Environment Engineering Division.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for health services generally, as well as sewage and solid waste disposal and environmental health.

There are numerous environmental regulations governing everything from rodent and mosquito control, communicable diseases, collection and disposal of refuse, swimming pools, nuisances, use of the coastal zones to construction planning regulations.  The Factories Act, Chapter 347 of the laws of Barbados and the Coastal Zone Management Act, Chapter 394 of the laws of Barbados are examples of such regulations.

The Factories Act has express environmental provisions which seek to protect the environment from any potential harmful effects from the presence of factories. 

The Factories Act provides for the manner of waste and effluent disposal.  Under the Factories Act all receptacles used for waste or refuse must be so constructed that they cannot leak, they can be conveniently and thoroughly cleaned, and they can be effectively covered or otherwise protected from the entry of insects and rodents and they must be maintained in a sanitary condition and be disinfected as often as is necessary.

Factories are also required to provide and maintain, where necessary, adequate drains for the effective removal of waste water and such drains shall be provided with hydraulic seals or other effective devices to prevent the escape of effluvia.

The Factories Act also regulates the cleanliness sanitary conveniences, lighting, temperature, ventilation, noise level, floor drainage and overcrowding in factories.

Please note that the Factories Act defines "factory" to mean:

1. any premises in which or on which or within the close or cartilage or precincts of which, persons, whether or not self-employed, work in connection with any process for or incidental to
   1. the slaughtering of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, poultry or other livestock,
   2. the confinement of animals or livestock of any of the kinds referred to in subparagraph (i) pending their slaughter at other premises (in a case where the place of confinement is not maintained primarily
   3. for agricultural purposes and is not part of premises used as a market in respect of such animals),
   4. any chilling or refrigeration connected with any manufacturing process or bulk storage and preservation of meat or other food,
   5. the making, formulating, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, cleaning, washing, polishing, breaking up, demolition or adapting for sale, of any article or part thereof,

and in which, or within the close or curtilage of precincts of which, the work carried on is by way of trade or for profit and to or over which the employer of the persons employed therein has a right of access or control and includes any of the premises mentioned in paragraphs

2. (2) to (13) in which persons are employed whether or not they are factories by virtue of this paragraph;
3. any yard or dry dock (including the precincts thereof) in which ships or vessels are constructed, reconstructed, repaired, refitted, finished or broken up;
4. premises in which or on which the business of sorting articles is done, being preliminary to work carried on in a factory or incidentally to the purposes of any factory;
   
5. premises in which or on which the business of washing or filing bottles or containers or the packing of articles is carried on incidentally to the purposes of a factory;
   
6. any laundry or dry cleaning operation or other related operation that is carried on ancillary to another business, or incidentally to the purposes of any public institution;
   
7. premises in which or on which the construction, re-construction or repair of vehicles or other plant for use for transport purposes is carried on as ancillary to a transport or other commercial undertaking or industrial undertaking, not being premises used for the purpose of housing vehicles where only cleaning, washing or minor adjustments are carried out;
   
8. premises in which
   1. printing by letter-press, lithography, photogravure or other similar process, or
   2. book binding,

   is carried on by way of trade for purposes of gain or incidentally to another business so carried on;

9. premises in which mechanical power is used in connection with the making or repair of articles incidentally to any business carried on by way of trade or for purposes of gain;
   
10. premises in which or on which articles are made or prepared incidentally to the carrying on of building operations or works of engineering construction, not being premises in which such operations or works are being carried on;
    
11. any premises used for the storage of gas in a gas-holder having a storage capacity of not less than 150 cubic metres;
12. premises in which mechanical power is used for the purposes of, or in connection with, the pumping of water for public use or of sewage or oil;
    
13. premises in which the business of hooking, plaiting, lapping, making .up or packing of yarn or cloth is being carried on;
    
14. premises in which or on which the business of making or mending nets is carried on incidentally to the fishing industry; or
    
15. premises on which machinery or equipment is being used (whether mechanically or otherwise) for agricultural purposes.
    

Tourism in Barbados is strongly tied to the beauty of the beaches across the island.  The Coastal Zone Management Act provides for the conservation and enhancement of shoreline and marine areas of Barbados.

Under the Coastal Zone Management Act it is an offence to remove, aid in or assist in removing any vegetation, sand, stones, shingle or gravel from any part of the foreshore or a prohibited area or to foul any part of the beach or foreshore by the deposit of offal, garbage or other waste, or in any other manner whatsoever.

The Coastal Zone Management Act also provides that any person who:

1. uses any explosive, poison or other noxious substance for the purpose of harvesting coral or catching, taking or harvesting fish;
   
2. permits any explosive, poison or other noxious substance to be used for that purpose;
   
3. carries, or has in his possession or control, or is found on any boat carrying, any explosive, poison or other noxious substances in circumstances indicating any intention of using such explosive, poison or other noxious substance for the purpose of harvesting coral or catching, taking or harvesting fish; or
   
4. willfully or negligently causes physical damage to any coral reef, fish or other coastal resource
   

is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $300 for every square metre of coral reef damaged or to imprisonment for 5 years or to both.

Q&A Contact

If you have a question about any information on this page please contact: ghc@clarkes.com.bb