KRALENDIJK – The current waste levy on Bonaire generates only about half of what is needed to cover the full cost of processing household and commercial waste. This emerges from the independent investigation into Selibon, commissioned by the Public Entity Bonaire and carried out by KPMG.
According to the report, approximately USD 2.4 million per year is currently collected in waste levies. In contrast, a cost-covering operating budget of around USD 4.9 million is required for the processing of household and commercial waste alone. KPMG therefore calculates an annual shortfall of approximately USD 2.5 million.
The study forms part of the broader analysis into the financial situation of Selibon and the measures needed to make Bonaire’s waste chain future-proof. The period from 2026 through 2028 was examined.
The researchers emphasise that the current income from waste levies covers only a portion of the waste streams. For various other waste fractions, a form of funding has yet to be found. As a result, the total financing requirement is in practice even higher.
Potentially much higher rates
KPMG also warns that fully passing on both the operating costs and the required investments through the waste levy could lead to very high charges for residents and businesses. The researchers therefore argue that a governance decision is needed on how the costs of waste management will be financed in the future.
The report identifies several options, including adjustments to existing levies, additional government contributions, external financing, or the introduction of other forms of funding. KPMG makes no recommendation for a specific choice and explicitly leaves that decision to the authorities.
Unavoidable operating costs
The findings come on top of the same report’s conclusion that a total of more than USD 40 million is needed by the end of 2028 to bring Selibon up to financial and operational standard. A significant portion of this consists of operating costs that are essential to keep the waste chain functioning safely and reliably.
The KPMG report was drawn up in the context of the administrative agreement between the Public Entity Bonaire and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations regarding the approach to the waste problem and the future of the Lagun landfill site.
