Country Project
Nauru
MANAGING ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS IN NAURU
MANAGING ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS IN NAURU
Nauru seeks to utilise PacWastePlus funds and assistance to meaningfully engage in the management of asbestos containing materials through implementation of best practice off-island disposal activities and establishing appropriate legislation and policies for the elimination of the importation of asbestos containing materials.
Project Description
Current Situation
There is a substantial quantity of asbestos in Nauru primarily in the form of asbestos-cement in roofing and cladding and stockpiles of waste. This asbestos is old and in various stages of deterioration and therefore poses a significant risk to the people of Nauru. The PacWaste program undertook the removal, transportation to the temporary storage [organized by Nauru government] and replacement of the ACM in several public buildings, the Republic of Nauru Hospital and Prison.
What is the Nauru Project About?
The Nauru Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment (DCIE) therefore seeks to utilise PacWastePlus funds and assistance to:
• develop national legislation to ban the importation and use of asbestos in Nauru,
• developing a code of practice on the management of asbestos,
• execute training on the proper handling, storage, and disposal of legacy ACM in Nauru, and
• re-packaging and remove improperly stored ACM located at the NCR landfill and the Regional Processing centre grounds.
Future Situation
Re-packaged and removed shipping containers of ACM located at the NCR landfill and the Regional Processing centre grounds. This activity will be used as a “real-life” training exercise for key stakeholders to highlight best practices for ACM packaging, labelling and offsite shipment/disposal.
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Factsheet
Asbestos Management Brief: NAURU
The PacWastePlus Regional Asbestos Project will support countries in executing solutions, both legislative and policy-driven, to prevent exposure to asbestos fibre, and thereby reduce asbestos-related diseases. This document provides guidance for Nauru to progress work on the development and implementation of a National ACM ban with this resource providing background information, identifying policy and legislative options available.
Technical Report
Nauru Waste Audit Report
The information and data gathered from these waste audits will be used by countries in the Pacific to support the development and monitoring of waste and resource recovery projects and recommend the infrastructure and policy interventions required. The regional dataset will also be used to identify and evaluate potential regional projects that would improve waste management in the region.
Factsheet
Nauru Project Profile – Addressing Legacy ACM: Disposal best practice and establishing appropriate legislation and policies
Asbestos-containing materials are a major issue for many Pacific Island countries with a history of use of asbestos containing materials (ACM) in construction. All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans and inhalation of asbestos fibres that have become airborne can cause serious lung disease. Asbestos poses a significant risk to the people of Nauru. PacWaste undertook the removal, transportation to the temporary storage [organized by the Nauru government], and replacement of the ACM in several Nauru public buildings. Nauru will utilise PacWastePlus investment and assistance to meaningfully engage in the management of asbestos-containing materials through implementation of best practice off-island disposal activities and establishing appropriate legislation and policies for the elimination of the importation of asbestos containing materials
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Existing asbestos containing materials stockpiles at the NCR landfill and
- Regional Processing Centre have been removed.
- Eliminate the importation of asbestos to Nauru through legislative action.
- Enhanced the capacity of local officials, asbestos abatement crews and government staff to safely address asbestos containing materials.
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A substantial quantity of asbestos containing material exists in Nauru; based on an earlier PacWaste survey it is estimated that around 200,000 square meters remain on the island. Most are in the form of asbestos-cement in roofing and cladding on houses and buildings although there are some stockpiles of waste. All the asbestos containing materials is old and in various stages of deterioration.
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It is a priority for the people of Nauru that asbestos containing material is removed from the island. The PacWastePlus programme is a significant step forward in freeing Nauru of asbestos.