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PacWastePlus Programme Gender & Social Inclusion (GESI) Guiding Document

Given the significantly gendered nature of social life in Pacific Island countries, and related inequalities, the successful achievement of Regional and Country Projects will require the PacWastePlus team to give attention to the different needs, interests, priorities and roles of women, girls, men and boys and the relations between them. Similarly, given that people living with disabilities are overall the most socially excluded group, the specific needs, interests and priorities of people living with disabilities are fundamental to achieving inclusive development results.

Living Safely with Asbestos

The management and disposal of asbestos-containing materials are currently a cause of concern in the Pacific region. In seeking to improve the ways that asbestos and asbestos-containing materials are managed in
PacWastePlus countries, the focus is to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres in order the eliminate asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is a known health hazard and may be present in your home, but it may not be a risk, depending on its condition. In this publication, we provide useful information on how to live safely with asbestos.

Situational Analysis of Human Rights Issues in the Waste Management Sector: Literature Review

A literature review was undertaken to gain a comprehensive understanding of waste management and the related issues and good practices and a general understanding of the realisation of the human rights implicated in relation to waste management in PacWastePlus programme participating countries. Armed with this basis of the information, the researcher seeks to draw linkages between waste management and human rights and the related issues in the Pacific Island Countries of focus and to gain a comprehensive understanding of how issues of human rights, equality, and cultural awareness are currently being considered and incorporated into waste and environmental programme management.

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Vanuatu

Waste management is a challenge for Vanuatu, primarily due to the geographic dispersal of the population. Currently, the existing system for waste collection is still limited to municipalities and provincial centres. There is large variability in the volumes of waste in Vanuatu. Urban areas have access to waste collection services. In rural areas, rubbish collection services are poor, ad-hoc, or completely absent. As a result, all waste generated in rural areas is disposed of through burning, burying, and dumping - either on land or in nearby waterways.

File Size: 2MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Tuvalu

The current waste collection service covers all nine islands in Tuvalu. The capital Funafuti has an advanced waste service – including organics collection and processing, a Waste Levy (with deposit) for the collection of recyclables and bulky waste, and a new recycling/transfer facility providing for the processing of household recyclables. Funafuti has a lined landfill, while outer islands utilise open dumps, managed by island councils (Kaupule). Despite current waste management efforts, there is still a prevalence of coastal litter in Tuvalu.

File Size: 2MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Tonga

There is large variability in the management of waste in Tonga. The islands of Tongatapu and Vava’u receive rubbish collection services provided by the Tonga Waste Authority Limited. However, due to the lack of waste collection services provided to the other outer islands and rural areas, practices of backyard burying, and burning is prevalent.

File Size: 1.81MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Timor-Leste

There is large variability in the management of waste in Timor-Leste. The Dili District Administration manages the Tibar Dump, which is the only controlled landfill in Timor-Leste. The Dili District Administration contracts private companies to assist with rubbish collection in Dili. Despite this, many households and businesses do not dispose of waste properly and are engaged in illegal dumping in rivers or drains and burning. There are private recycling companies in Dili that bale and export cardboard, paper, and scrap metal.

File Size: 1.81MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Solomon Islands

Waste management is a challenge for the Solomon Islands, primarily due to the geographic dispersal of the population. Waste collection services are currently limited to accessible areas within Honiara and in a few provincial centres6. Urban area waste collection services less than 45% of household waste generated. In rural areas, rubbish collection services are poor, ad hoc, or completely absent. As a result, all waste generated in rural areas is managed through burning, burying, and dumping -either on land or in nearby waterways.

File Size: 1.82MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Samoa

There are two landfills in Samoa, each located on one of the two main islands. Waste collection services are provided to communities on the four inhabited islands of Upolu, Savaii, Manono, and Apolima. Waste collection in urban areas is frequent – twice a week for general waste but not as frequent in rural areas. Despite these services, waste is still commonly illegally dumped or burnt. The government provides a quarterly bulky waste collection service. The private sector provides some recycling services, collecting items such as aluminum and scrap metal for export.

File Size: 1.86MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Republic of Marshall Islands

The Majuro Atoll Waste Company (MAWC), owned by the national government and the Majuro Atoll Local Government, is responsible for solid waste collection, landfill management, and recycling in Majuro. MAWC provides weekly collection services to around 80% of households in Majuro. The remaining houses are responsible for transporting their wastes to Majuro’s dumpsite. In outer islands, rubbish collection services are poor, ad-hoc, or completely absent. Many houses without collection services have instead created backyard pits. MAWC administers a Container Deposit system, collecting aluminum cans, PET bottles, and glass bottles.

File Size: 2.5MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Papua New Guinea

Waste management is a challenge for Papua New Guinea, primarily due to the size and geographic distribution of its population. There is no regulatory framework or legislation on solid waste management and few public awareness programs or initiatives. Pollution from large-scale mining activities are also a growing concern with numerous studies directly attributing pollution of coastal ecosystems to discharges from mining activities. PNG has over 21 unregulated disposal sites and two controlled sites located in Lae and Port Moresby. The government does not implement formal recycling programs. However, there are recycling operators in Port Moresby that collect beverage bottles, ULABs, used motor oil, scrap steel, and small quantities of PET bottles.

File Size: 2.5MB, 5 pages PDF document