The Solid Waste Management (SWM) team has continued its research into solutions to Cange’s waste problem. The town of Cange continues to struggle with the accumulation of waste, with no viable method to dispose of it. The goal of the SWM team is to research a method that would allow the town to properly dispose of a portion of their waste while also serving a positive role in the local economy.
The Grand Savane is a 105-acre plateau, resting 800 feet above the village of Cange in the Central Plateau of Haiti. This plateau cycles through seasonal drought caused by the drastic change in rainfall that can be observed for half of the year. The large change in rainfall prevents farmers of Cange and surrounding areas to have year-round income and produce higher yields.
Those living in developing countries often do not have a proper way to dispose and treat human waste, leading to rampant spread of diseases such as cholera. In Haiti, most people openly defecate or use pit latrines. Because of this, fecal matter contaminates the water supply. Biodigesters provide a way to sustainably treat waste and prevent disease. They retain and break down solid waste through anaerobic digestion and then release methane and a nutrient-rich effluent.
Aquaculture in Haiti has the potential to provide a sustainable food source for the high number of individuals who are extremely food insecure. There are multiple fish farms owned by community members in Ba Cange, located in the Central Plateau of Haiti. Aquaculture in Haiti primarily takes the form of the small-scale farming of pink and gray Tilapia. There are many fish farmers operating in this area, however the scales and operational procedures of these farms vary greatly. Despite utilizing all of their available resources, these farms are producing at only a fraction of their potential.