Seven state-of-the-art Refrigerant Recovery Recycling and Reclamation (RRR&R) Centres, valued at US$70,000, officially opened in Jamaica this week.
The facilities aim to advance the country’s efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector, in line with the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
The official launch was held at the HEART/NSTA Trust College of Construction Services in Portmore, St. Catherine, and was led by the National Environment and Planning Agency through its National Ozone Unit.
The initiative is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme through the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The centres represent a major milestone in Jamaica’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental hazards posed by refrigerants.
Each is outfitted with specialised equipment to recover refrigerants from appliances, remove harmful contaminants through a filtration process, and reclaim or reprocess refrigerants for safe reuse.
There are four centres at the College of Construction Services, the National Tools and Engineering Institute, the Southwest Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institute, Newport Campus and the Beechamville Vocational Centre.
The remaining three are located at the Caribbean Maritime University, CAC 2000 Limited, and the University of Technology, Jamaica.
Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Arlene Williams, refrigerants pose a serious risk to human health and the environment as they contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and increase the threat of global warming.
Jamaica became a party to the Montreal Protocol in 1993, and in 2006 the country successfully eliminated the importation of CFCS, ahead of the international timeline.
Director of NEPA’S Environmental Management and Conservation Division, Anthony Mckenzie, said the initiative has a strong capacity building component.
“To date, 193 refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians have been trained in best practices, including alternatives to harmful refrigerants. Special attention has also been given to gender inclusion, with targeted training opportunities for female technicians,” he said.
This is in addition to the 235 enforcement officers from NEPA, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the Jamaica Customs Agency who have been trained in compliance and monitoring to prevent the illegal importation of banned substances.
These achievements are aligned with Vision 2030 Jamaica, the Sustainable Development Goals, and broader global climate strategies.
“As a small island developing state that is particularly vulnerable to climate change, Jamaica’s actions serve as a model for integrating practical solutions into environmental policy,” McKenzie said.