Disaster Waste Management

Pacific Islands are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as cyclones, flooding tsunamis, landslides, earthquakes, and marine submersion, which are exacerbated - in power and frequency - by climate change.

Indeed, the IPCC report published on 9 August 2021 concludes that:

• Globally, daily extreme precipitation events are expected to increase by about 7% for each +1°C of global warming;
• The proportion of intensity of tropical cyclones (categories 4-5) and the maximum wind speeds of the most intense tropical cyclones should increase; 
• Heat waves will be more frequent, hot seasons longer and cold seasons shorter. Extreme heat is expected to reach critical thresholds for agriculture and public health more often; and
• Sea levels could rise by one meter and two meters by 2300, contributing to more frequent and severe flooding in low-lying areas and increased coastal erosion. 

These natural disasters are a real challenge for Pacific Islands because of the negative environmental, health, economic and social impacts. In addition to the significant risks to property and people directly caused by disasters, these events can generate a significant amount of waste which in turn can impact on health, the economy, or the environment. For example: 

• Piles of waste on the roads can delay emergency lifesaving operations;
• Sharpe waste such as broken glasses and deformed pieces of metal can cause serious injuries;
• Piles of waste can become breeding sites for mosquitos and rats; and/or
• Some hazardous waste such as used oil or chemicals can spread and pollute the soil, the rivers, the sea, the groundwater, the atmosphere or even have health effects if not handled with care.