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Country Project 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

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.

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.