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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.

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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 – 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

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Palau

Waste collection is provided to approximately 77% of the population in Palau, and each state is responsible for its own waste management services. Koror state provides weekly collection to 100% of its residents, with the collected materials managed at the M-Dock landfill. Green waste is collected upon request. Outer island communities operate under a self-haul arrangement. Forty-two segregation facilities have been established in communities to accept mixed recyclables and residual waste. Palau implemented a Container Deposit Legislation on aluminum and steel cans, plastic, and glass bottles in 2011. This program records an 87.3% recycling rate.

File Size: 2.5MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Niue

The Government of Niue offers waste collection to all 14 villages. Waste is segregated at the source and collected by a contractor who transports the materials to the dumpsites. A recycling facility and transfer centre will be under construction soon to allow for the recovery and processing of household recyclables. Despite the waste collection services, some households continue to burn waste or illegally dump it in disused sites or vacant land.

File Size: 2.5MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Nauru

Waste is collected daily from the 14 districts. There is large variability in the management of waste. However, with the purchase of machinery, the collection system is expected to improve. The common disposal method in Nauru involves an open dump in the south-west part of the island. The dump covers a large area but is described as a threat to underground water reserves. Litter is a common problem.

File Size: 1.84MB, 5 pages PDF document

PacWastePlus Project Snapshot – Kiribati

There is large variability in the management of waste in Kiribati. The main island of Tarawa has three landfills, and there are two dumpsites (unregulated) located on Kiritimati Island. Household waste collection on Tarawa provided through municipal authorities, and a private Contractor oversees a pre-paid green bag collection. A Container Deposit recycling system exists on Tarawa, the ‘Kaoki Maange Recycling’ which has been in operation since 2004, collecting materials such as PET, aluminum, and lead-acid batteries. There are minimal collection services provided in the outer islands, as a result, waste is buried, burned, or disposed of at sea.

File Size: 1.84MB, 5 pages PDF document