“Where there is no vision, the people perish” – Proverbs 29:18.
The Caribbean must reject political fatigue and embrace a culture of visionary thinking that uncovers new avenues for sustainable economic development. One compelling opportunity lies in the recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
Across our islands and coastal communities, the increasing number of abandoned and aging vehicles poses a significant environmental hazard. These derelict vehicles are not just unsightly; they pollute our environment and represent an untapped economic opportunity. This challenge can and should be reframed as a catalyst for innovation, green entrepreneurship, and diversification.
Learning from Japan
In 2006, I had the privilege of attending the world’s first automobile recycling conference in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Noel Brown, an accomplished international civil servant from Jamaica, accompanied me. The conference, hosted by the Re-Use Motorization (RUM) Alliance and the United Nations Environment Programme, explored global solutions to the ELV issue.
Representing small island states, we shared our perspectives as panelists. During our visit, we toured a Japanese automobile recycling facility, which was nothing short of remarkable. It showcased a model of environmental engineering precision, economic efficiency and business foresight.
The process was meticulous and systematic. At the end of their useful life, vehicles were delivered to the plant, where every component was carefully stripped and catalogued. Fluids, engine parts, windscreens, electronics, interiors, windows, and more were reused, recycled or safely disposed of. The vehicle’s remaining chassis was fed into a massive crusher and converted into scrap metal for reuse.
Every step of the process was digitally tracked, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Reusable components were inventoried and made available online to global buyers, seamlessly shipped to their destinations. This process was not just recycling—it was a cutting-edge, industrial-scale, environmentally responsible business operation. In 2023, the average lifespan of vehicles in Japan (in years) was passenger cars, trucks and buses 13.42, 13.72 and 19.18, respectively.
Tapping into the Caribbean’s Potential
Contrast this with the Caribbean, where rusting vehicles line roadsides, languish in open lots, and pollute our soil and waterways. These abandoned vehicles pose public health hazards and eyesores in our tourism-dependent economies. With the right policy incentives, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurial drive, we can turn this waste into wealth.
End-of-life vehicle recycling plants would create local jobs, foster skills training in green industries, and support circular economies while protecting our environment. A regional approach—with its shared digital infrastructure and connected logistics networks—would further boost competitiveness and unlock economies of scale.
A Sustainable Business Solution
The moral of the story is clear. Recycling end-of-life vehicles is more than a matter of waste management—it’s a sustainable business opportunity waiting to be seized. Like the sargassum seaweed or human waste disposal challenge, tackling this challenge requires thinking outside the box.
The time to act is now. We cannot allow inertia or shortsightedness to paralyze us. With decisive leadership, end-of-life recycling could become a pillar of the Caribbean’s diversified economies and a more sustainable future.
Let us be bold. Let us be visionaries. Let us drive the Caribbean forward—one recycled end-of-life vehicle at a time.
(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a corporate governance adviser. His email address is basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com. His columns may be found at https://www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com.)