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Fiji is an island nation with 18,274 km² of total land area. ,

The nation of Fiji is comprised of over 300 islands, although only 110 of those are actually inhabited. Viti Levu (10,429 sq km) and Vanua Levu (5,556 sq km) take up 87% of the total land area.

Fiji is composed of large mountainous islands, which are largely of volcanic origin, such as Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and numerous small volcanic islands, low-lying atolls and elevated reefs.

894,961 people (Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division Population Estimates and Projections - 2020) with annual population growth of 5.2%

Approximately 75 % of the population lives on Viti Levu and 18 % on Vanua Levu. The rest of the population is split across the remaining inhabited islands, with populations ranging from just one or two people through to 25,000 people.

11% of the population live in Suva

Agriculture, clothing, fisheries, forestry, tourism and sugar (production and export).

GDP/capita 2019: $6,176

Human Development Index (HDI) 2019: 0.746 / HDI ranking: 93

Mild tropical climate with plentiful rain under prevailing conditions

Potential natural disasters that Fiji could face are cyclones, flooding and landslips.

The predicted climate change and sea level rise could have profound consequences for some urban centers, agriculture and coastal development. 

The amendment of Fiji’s Public Health Act in 2018 enabled the expansion of garbage collection services, initially limited to municipal boundaries to all rural communities. There are several recycling companies established in the country, but challenges remain with providing incentives for local communities and collection services for recyclables. The major challenges in providing effective waste management in Fiji includes high operation costs associated with garbage collection services, remote location of communities, increasing waste generation and location of approved disposal sites.

• Environment Management Act 2005 (as at January 2021):

• Fiji National Solid Waste Management Strategy 2011-2014:

• Stocktake of Existing and Pipeline Waste Legislation: Republic of Fiji (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• J-PRISM II Solid Waste Management Country Profile - Fiji (Source: J-PRISM II)

• Fiji National Waste Audit Analysis Report (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Waste Amount & Composition Survey – SUVA & LAUTOKA – FIJI – Phase 2

Marine Debris Management

Fiji benefits from technical and financial support to:

• Implement a Marine Debris Management Pilot Project. This pilot project is led by the University of the South Pacific, Suva. To this end, the New Zealand Charity Sustainable Coastlines trained the USP members involved. A Training Report is available on SPREP Virtual Library.

• Communities for the International Coastal Clean-up Day to conduct beach clean-ups and waste audits, as well as to produce awareness-raising videos.

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022 : Activity conducted by the Pacific Ocean Litter Youth Project et Suva Harbour Foundation 

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022 : Activity conducted by the Community Centered Conservation

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023 : Activity conducted by the Pacific Ocean Litter Youth Project

• Plastic Paradise

Department of Environment

Ministry of Waterways & Environment

Levels 1 & 2, Bali Tower, 318 Toorak Road

PO Box 2109

SUVA, FIJI

Phone: (679) 3311 699

Fax: (679) 3312 879

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mowe.gov.fj/

Samoa is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands.

The island nation has a land area of 2,831 km².
 

192,126 people (Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division Population Estimates and Projections - 2020).

Savaii Island and Upolu Island are the two main inhabited islands, with populations of approximately 44,000 and 67,000 respectively.  

Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing

GDP/capita 2019: $4,324

Human Development Index (HDI) 2019: 0.715 / HDI ranking: 112

Samoa is a tropical island, that is warm and humid all year round with a distinct wet and dry season.

Samoa is vulnerable to natural disasters including cyclones, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and sea level rise. Samoa sits on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ at the meeting of two tectonic plates, exposing its islands to the frequent earthquakes. 

• Waste management Act 2010 (as at 2018)

• National Waste Management Strategy 2019-2023 for SamoaStocktake of Existing and Pipeline Waste legislation: Samoa (Source: PacWaste Plus Programme)

• Assessment of Legislative Frameworks Governing Waste Management in Samoa (Source: PacWaste Plus Programme) 

• J-PRISM II Solid Waste Management Country Profile - Samoa (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

• Samoa National Waste Audit Analysis Report (Source: PacWaste Plus Programme) 

• SRWMA/J-PRISM II - Waste Oil Collection and Storage Pilot Project - Implementation report - Phase I (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

• SRWMA/J-PRISM II - Waste Oil Collection and Storage Pilot Project - Completion Report (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

• Samoa Analysis Report for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Samoa Feasibility Study for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Samoa Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Lessons Learnt/Good Practice in the Pacific - Formulation of National Waste Management Strategy in Samoa (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

Used Oil Management

Samoa benefits from technical and financial support to conduct used oil management activities. These include:

1) Development of a National Used Oil Management Plan. The following documents were produced as part of the related consultancy:

• Inception Report

• Analysis Report

• Feasibility Study

• Samoa National Used Oil Management Plan

2) Implementation of a Used Oil Management Pilot Project.

Marine Debris Management

Samoa benefits from technical and financial support to:

• implement a SWAP Marine Litter Pilot Project. To this end, the New Zealand Charity Sustainable Coastlines trained the communities involved. A Training Report is available on SPREP Virtual Library.

• communities for the International Coastal Clean-up Day to conduct beach clean-ups and waste audits, as well as to produce awareness-raising videos. 

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by Laumei Outrigger Canoe Club

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by Samoa Conservation Society

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by the SWAP Project for the 31 SPREP Meeting

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by Samoa Conservation Society

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

• Plastic Paradise

Mrs. Katenia Rasch - Assistant Chief Executive Officer

Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

SAMOA

Fax : (685) 20884

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mnre.gov.ws/

The Solomon Islands has a land area of 28,399 km², consisting of six main islands and close to 1,000 small volcanic islands and atolls. 

712,071 people (Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division Population Estimates and Projections - 2020).

Malaita, with 173,000 people, is the most populated province, followed by the island of Guadalcanal at 154,000.

The capital, Honiara, is located on Guadalcanal, and is home to 130,000 of its total population. 

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry

GDP/capita 2019: $2,374

Human Development Index (HDI) 2019: 0.567 / HDI ranking: 151

The Solomon Islands is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and drought. 

The Solomon Islands is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and drought. 

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 centres. 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.

The legislative model in the Solomon Islands for managing wastes appears, at one level, to be relatively coherent.  It is focused on the Environment Act 1998 that covers most of the priority wastes under a broad definition of waste, and it has objectives that seek to regulate the transport, collection, treatment, storage, and disposal of wastes, and to promote recycling, re-use and recovery of materials in an economically viable manner. The Honiara City Council within its jurisdiction has taken leadership in developing waste management policies and experimenting with new measures.  At a provincial government level, however, there are challenges in developing and implementing effective waste management laws.

• The National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2017-2026 – for Solomon Islands

• Stocktake of Existing and Pipeline Waste Legislation: Solomon Islands (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Assessment of Legislative Frameworks Governing Waste Management in the Solomon Islands (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• J-PRISM II Solid Waste Management Country Profile - Solomon Islands (Source: J-PRISM Project)

• Solomon Islands Waste Audit Report (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Solomon Islands National Waste Audit Analysis Report (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Solomon Islands Analysis Report for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Solomon Islands Feasibility Study for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Solomon Islands Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Scoping Study for Landfill Rehabilitation and/or Climate Proofing in the Solomon Islands - Feasibility Report (Source: SWAP Project)

• Lessons Learnt/Good Practice in the Pacific - Establishment of Nationwide Waste Management with Developing Capacity of Local Governments (Source: J-PRISM Project)

Used Oil Management

The Solomon Islands benefits from technical and financial support to conduct used oil management activities. These include:

1) Development of a National Used Oil Management Plan. The following documents were produced as part of the related consultancy:

• Inception Report

• Analysis Report

• Feasibility Study

• Solomon Islands Used Oil Management Plan

2) Implementation of a Used Oil Management Pilot Project.

Disaster Waste Management

The SWAP project carried out a scoping study to identify Waste Disposal Sites to be rehabilitated and/or climate proofed in the Solomon Islands, and to rank priorities regarding activities to be undertaken. The two key activities are: 

• Supply and Installation of a Health Care Brick incinerator (De Montfort Mark 9 style) at Tulagi dumpsite; and

• Supply a second-hand backhoe loader and spare parts for the waste disposal site in Gizo.

Marine Debris Management

The Solomon Islands benefits from technical and financial support to conduct marine litter management activities. These include:

1) Support to communities for the International Coastal Clean-up Day to conduct beach clean-ups and waste audits, as well as to produce awareness-raising videos.

2) Implementation of a SWAP Marine Litter Pilot Project. To this end, the New Zealand Charity Sustainable Coastlines trained the communities involved. A Training Report is available on SPREP Virtual Library.

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by Friends of the City

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by Temotu Provincial Government

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by Graciosa Bay Ward Development Committee

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by Lata Luava Ward 8 Development Committee

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by Graciosa Bay Ward 9 Development Committee

• Plastic Paradise

Ms Debra Kereseka - Senior Environment Officer

Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology

P.O. Box 21, Vavaya Ridge

Honiara

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Phone: (677) 23031 / 23032

Fax: (677) 28054

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.mecdm.gov.sb/

Tonga is an archipelago comprising 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited.

The Island nation has a land area of 749 km².  

99,780 people (Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division Population Estimates and Projections - 2020).

The main island is Tongatapu, which is home to three quarters of the population. A further seventh of the population resides on the island of Vava’u, with the remainder split across the other inhabited islands.

Agriculture, fishing and tourism

GDP/capita 2019: $4,903

Human Development Index (HDI) 2019: 0.725 / HDI ranking: 104

Warm and tropical, with a wet and dry season. 

Tropical Cyclones, droughts and sea level rise.

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.

As a result of a substantial reform program undertaken in the mid-2000s, Tonga has dedicated legislation for waste management. This legislation provides a central point of administration for waste management matters in Tonga under the auspices of the Tonga Waste Authority Ltd (WAL).

• Waste Management Act Cap 32.18 (as at 2016):

• Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals Act Cap 47.08 (as at 2016):

• Stocktake of Existing and Pipeline Waste Legislation: Kingdom of Tonga (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Assessment of Legislative Frameworks Governing Waste Management in Tonga (Source: PacWastePlus Programme) 

• J-PRISM II Solid Waste Management Country Profile - Tonga

• Tonga National Waste Audit Analysis Report (Source: PacWastePlus Programme) 

• Tonga Analysis Report for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Tonga Feasibility Study for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Tonga Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Lessons Learnt/Good Practice in the Pacific - Waste Management Service Expansion to Outer Islands – Kingdom of Tonga (Source: J-PRISM II Project) 

Used Oil Management

Tonga benefits from technical and financial support to conduct used oil management activities. These include:

1) Development of a National Used Oil Management Plan. The following documents were produced as part of the related consultancy:

• Inception Report

• Analysis Report

• Feasibility Study

• Tonga Used Oil Management Plan

  2) Implementation of a Used Oil Management Pilot Project

Marine Debris Management

Tonga benefits from technical and financial support to:

• Implement a SWAP Marine Litter Pilot Project. To this end, the New Zealand Charity Sustainable Coastlines trained the communities involved. A Training Report is available on SPREP Virtual Library.

• communities for the International Coastal Clean-up Day to conduct beach clean-ups and waste audits, as well as to produce awareness-raising videos.

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by Pelesitiki Campaign Tonga Association

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by the Department of Environment Social Committee

• Documentary on how Tonga handled disaster waste generated by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in January 2022

• Plastic Paradise

Ms Mafile’o Masi - Chief Environmentalist

Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

Level 4, O.G.Sanft & Sons Building, Western Corner of Taufa'ahau Road and Wellington Road, Nuku'alofa.

P.O. Box 1380, Nuku'alofa

KINGDOM OF TONGA

Phone: (676) 20-100 or (676) 20-113

Fax: (676) 24-861

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.mic.gov.to

Vanuatu is an archipelago consisting of about 83 relatively small, geologically newer islands of volcanic origin. 65 of them are inhabited.

The nation consists of six provinces spread across a land area of 12,199 km². 

294,688 people (Pacific Community Statistics for Development Division Population Estimates and Projections - 2020).

The most populous province is Shefa (98,000), which includes Efate Island with the highest population at 82,000. This is followed by Santo in the Sanma province, with 46,000, and Tanna in the Tafea province with 32,000.

Agriculture, fisheries and tourism

GDP/capita 2019: $3,115

Human Development Index (HDI) 2019: 0.609 / HDI ranking: 140

Northern islands it is Hot and rainy all year round, whilst it is tropical for the central and southern islands with a wet and dry season. 

Earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, droughts and volcanic eruptions.

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 within 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.

Until the enactment of the Waste Management Act 2014, Solid waste management was regulated by the Environment and Conservation Act and the Public Health Act. This older legislation still deals with waste in some ways, particularly in terms of conducting Environmental Impact Assessments, potential wastewater issues and public health matters arising from waste management. This older legislation must therefore be read together with the more recent legislation to understand the legislative environment for waste governance in Vanuatu. An analysis of the main national waste situation has been undertaken through the National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy and Implementation Plan 2016-2020, which calls for establishment of an inter-sectoral coordination mechanism through the National Waste and Pollution Control Coordinating Committee. At present, a Working Group coordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) oversees implementation of the strategy. This is due for revision and is a potential area for reform.

• Waste Management Act 2014 (in force June 2014)

• National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy and Implementation Plan 2016-2020

• Stocktake of Existing and Pipeline Waste Legislation: Vanuatu (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Assessment of Legislative Frameworks Governing Waste Management in Vanuatu (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• JPRISM II Solid Waste Management Country Profile - Vanuatu (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

• Vanuatu Waste Audit Report (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Vanuatu National Waste Audit Analysis Report (Source: PacWastePlus Programme)

• Vanuatu Analysis Report for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Vanuatu Feasibility Study for the development of a National Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Vanuatu Used Oil Management Plan (Source: SWAP Project)

• Scoping Study for Landfill Rehabilitation and/or Climate Proofing in Vanuatu - Feasibility Report (Source: SWAP Project)

• Lessons Learnt/Good Practice in the Pacific - Capacity Development for Local Governments through Partnership in Vanuatu (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

• Lessons Learnt/Good Practice in the Pacific on the Development of a user-pay system for waste management service in Vanuatu (Source: J-PRISM II Project)

Used Oil Management

Vanuatu benefits from technical and financial support to conduct used oil management activities. These include:

1) Development of a National Used Oil Management Plan. The following documents were produced as part of the related consultancy:

• Inception Report

• Analysis Report

• Feasibility Study

• Vanuatu Used Oil Management Plan

2) Implementation of a Used Oil Management Pilot Project.

Disaster Waste Management

The SWAP project carried out a scoping study to identify Waste Disposal Sites to be rehabilitated and/or climate proofed in Vanuatu, and to rank priorities regarding activities to be undertaken. The three key activities are: 

• Improvement of the site access roads at Bouffa Landfill,

• Upgrading the access and ring roads in Luganville Waste Disposal Site.

Marine Debris Management

Vanuatu benefits from technical and financial support to conduct marine litter management activities. These include:

1) Support to communities for the International Coastal Clean-up Day to conduct beach clean-ups and waste audits, as well as to produce awareness-raising videos.

2) Implementation of a SWAP Marine Litter Pilot Project. To this end, the New Zealand Charity Sustainable Coastlines trained the communities involved. A Training Report is available on SPREP Virtual Library.

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by Vanuatu Environmental Science Society

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by Vanuatu Climate Action Network

• Plastic Paradise

Ionie Bolenga - Principal Officer – WMPC

Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, Ministry of Climate Change & Adaptation

PMB 9063, Port Vila
VANUATU

Phone: (678) 25302 | 33430

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://environment.gov.vu/

The country has a land area of142,42 sq km.

Wallis and Futuna comprises three main volcanic islands (Wallis, Futuna and Alofi) and a number of tiny islets.

Only 5% of the islands' land area consists of arable land; permanent crops cover another 20%.

11,558 people (2018)

Nearly 72% of the population lives on the island of Wallis and 28% on the island of Futuna.

Lack of economic opportunities has been impelling many young Wallisians and Futunians to migrate.

The territory's economy consists mostly of traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of the labour force earning its livelihood from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing.

GDP/capita 2019: $10,100

Human Development Index (HDI) 2019: 0.763 / HDI ranking: 110

Wallis and Futuna have a tropical climate marked by two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season.

Potential natural disasters that Wallis and Futuna could face are cyclones, flooding, tsunamis, landslides, earthquake, and marine submersion.

In Wallis and Futuna, the competence of waste management is shared between the Territory and the "circonscriptions" (municipalities). In Wallis, the circonscription is responsible for the daily collection of household waste. In Futuna, this activity is carried out by the Environment Department in collaboration with the circonscriptions of Alo and Sigave following an agreement signed in 2008. The management of the landfills is devolved to the Environment Department, which also handles hospital waste treatment and the implementation of the territorial policy for clean-up operations.

Despite the development of Technical Landfill Centers since 2004, several problems remain: poor public waste collection, presence of unauthorized dumps and absence of waste recycling channels. The equipment of the two CET of the Territory remains insufficient for an ecologically rational management of the waste.

It is worth noting that, in 2017, the Territory introduced a tax based on the polluter-pays principle on imported beverage containers. The “eco-tax” was extended in 2020 to all rigid containers over 200 ml. When a package is returned to the landfill, the 10-franc deposit paid when the product was purchased is returned to the consumer. The Territory also began exporting hazardous waste in 2017 through the INTEGRE project. These operations will be renewed in 2021 to export 40 tons of used batteries and 80 tons of used oil. The current storage conditions of the landfills limit the storage and operating life of the packaging material, hence the need for export operations. However, the risk exists in terms of packaging non-compliance.

The Territory has also banned, from June 1, 2020, the import of plastic bags, which represents a potential for the local market and several circular economy projects are currently underway.

For information about Waste Management in Wallis and Futuna, please visit the of the Service Territorial de l'Environnement (French version only)

Feasibility study for the design of a scrap metal recovery facility in Wallis and Futuna (French version only)

Sustainable financing

Wallis and Futuna benefits from technical and financial support to build a Scrap Metal Recovery Facility.

Marine Debris Management

Financial and technical support were provided to communities for the International Coastal Clean-up Day to conduct beach clean-ups and waste audits, as well as to produce awareness-raising videos.

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by Mouvement du Focolare (French version)

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by Vaitupu Village (French version)

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2021: Activity conducted by the Foyer socio-educatif du collège de Mua Lavegahua (French version)

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by the paddling association A Vaka Heke (French version)

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by the Foyer socio-éducatif du collège de Mua Lavegahua (French version)

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022: Activity conducted by the Fishermen's Association Faiva Tautai (French version)

• International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023: Activity conducted by the paddling association A Vaka Heke (French version)

• Plastic Paradise

Ateliana Maugateau

Chief of Environment Department

Territorial Environment Department

Service Territorial de l’Environnement

BP 294 Mata Utu

98600 UVEA

Wallis et Futuna

Telephone: (00.681) 72 05 98

Fax: (00.681) 72 03 51

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.wallis-et-futuna.gouv.fr/Services-de-l-Etat-et-du-Territoire/Les-autres-services-de-l-Etat-et-du-Territoire/Service-de-l-Environnement

Approximately 4,167 km² spread across 118 islands and atolls, only 67 of which are inhabited

Around 280,000 (2025 estimate)

French Polynesia’s economy relies heavily on tourism, pearl farming, fishing, and small-scale agriculture. The country imports most of its manufactured goods and fuel, making it highly dependent on external markets. Efforts are underway to diversify the economy through sustainable industries and circular economy practices, with the goal of reducing import dependence and minimising waste generation.

The islands experience a tropical climate, with a hot and humid season from November to April and a cooler, drier season from May to October. Average temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C year-round.

French Polynesia is vulnerable to cyclones, tsunamis, coastal erosion, and the impacts of sea-level rise. Climate change intensifies these risks, threatening low-lying islands, ecosystems, and infrastructure. 

French Polynesia faces significant waste management challenges due to its remote and scattered island geography, which complicates transport, collection, and treatment logistics.

While some semi-centralised waste management systems operate on the larger islands such as Tahiti, smaller and more remote islands often rely on landfills or open dumping because of high transport costs and limited infrastructure.

Efforts are underway to strengthen sustainable waste management through:

• Expanding recycling and composting initiatives;

• Promoting waste separation at source; and

• Supporting circular economy models in partnership with SPREP, regional partners, and local authorities.

These initiatives aim to reduce pollution, extend the life of existing landfills, and build resilience against environmental and climate-related pressures.

Under the Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific – Phase 2 (SWAP2) project, French Polynesia is a new participating country.

Current and planned activities include:

• Establishing a community reuse and repair centre to promote recycling and upcycling.

• Conducting training on marine litter monitoring and data collection.

• Encouraging community engagement and awareness on waste reduction and circular economy.

Heinui TEPAHAUAITAIPARI

Cheffe De Projets

Direction de l’Environnement de Polynésie (DIREN)

Papeete 98714

Polynésie française

Téléphone : (+689) 40 47 66 66

Email : [email protected]

Site Internet : https://www.service-public.pf/voir/annuaire/diren-direction-de-lenvironnement/

Approximately 811 km² across 33 atolls and reef islands (dispersed over 3.5 million km² of ocean)

Approx. 130,000 (2025 estimate), with over 50% living in South Tarawa

Kiribati’s economy is primarily subsistence-based, supported by fisheries, copra production, remittances, and foreign aid. Local industry remains minimal due to geographic constraints and limited infrastructure. The government continues to explore sustainable development, and circular economy approaches to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen community resilience.

The nation experiences a tropical marine climate, with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Rainfall patterns are heavily influenced by El Niño and La Niña cycles. Kiribati is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing serious threats from sea level rise, coastal erosion, drought, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources.

Kiribati’s flat atolls make it especially susceptible to storm surges, flooding, and prolonged droughts. Climate change continues to intensify these challenges, threatening food security, housing, and infrastructure.

Waste management faces significant challenges in waste management due to its low-lying geography and limited resources. Waste management is a growing concern in Kiribati, particularly in South Tarawa, where rapid urbanisation has led to overcrowding and limited landfill capacity. 

Key challenges include:

• Insufficient waste segregation and recycling systems

• Inadequate collection services

• Limited access to waste treatment facilities

Organic waste, plastic pollution, and e-waste remain priority issues. The government, with partners such as SPREP and SWAP, is working to strengthen recycling actions, promote public awareness, and encourage community-led waste reduction initiatives.

• Environment (Amendment) Act 2007

• Kiribati National Implementation Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants (2019)

• Kiribati Waste Management Resource Recovery Strategy (KWMRRS 2020-2029) 

Under the SWAP2 (Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific Phase 2) project, Kiribati joined as a new participating country. Key activities include:

• Provision of used oil management equipment (such as spill kits and pumps) to ensure safe handling and prevent marine pollution

• Capacity building and training for local authorities on marine litter monitoring and used oil management

• Scoping and assessment of sites for potential landfills in the outer islands

Teniti Taam

Solid Waste Management Officer

Environment Conservation Division

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development (MELAD)

Bikenibeu, Tarawa

Republic of Kiribati

Téléphone : +686 75228211

Email : [email protected]

Site Internet : https://www.melad.gov.ki/

Approximately 26 km², making Tuvalu the fourth smallest country in the world by land area, consisting of nine low-lying atolls and reef islands.

Approx. 11,500 (2025 estimate)

Tuvalu’s economy is predominantly subsistence in nature, with agriculture and fishing accounting for 80 per cent of the national income. The per capita income in Tuvalu is significantly higher than in many other Pacific Island Countries, largely due to offshore income including maritime employment, remittances from seafarers and workers overseas and international aid.

Tuvalu experiences a tropical maritime climate, remaining hot and humid throughout the year. There are two main seasons:

• Wet season: November to April

• Dry season: May to October

The country’s low elevation makes it particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal flooding, while prolonged droughts threaten water security. Tuvalu is among the nation’s most at risk globally from the impacts of climate change.

Tuvalu regularly faces climate-related hazards such as cyclones, king tides, and saltwater intrusion, which affect agriculture, livelihoods, and infrastructure. The increasing frequency of these events highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation and disaster waste management planning.

Tuvalu’s limited land area, high import costs, and lack of recycling facilities create major waste management challenges.

• Existing landfills are nearing capacity, with little room for expansion.

• There are no formal recycling systems, leading to accumulation of plastic waste and other non-biodegradable materials.

• Hazardous wastes, including used oil, e-waste, and batteries, pose growing environmental and health risks.

The Government of Tuvalu, in collaboration with SPREP and partners under the SWAP2 programme, is taking steps to improve waste governance, infrastructure, and community awareness. Efforts are focused on reducing imports of single-use plastics, improving collection systems, and promoting waste segregation and composting at the household level.

• Waste Management Act 2017

• Integrated Waste Policy and Action Plan 2017 -2026

• National Action Plan to Reduce Releases of Unintentional Persistent Organic

• National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2012-2016

• National Environment Management Strategy 2015-2020

• National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 2008

• National Strategic Action Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2012-2016

• National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2016-2020

Tuvalu joined the SWAP2 (Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific Phase 2) project as a new participating country. Key activities include:

• Developing a National Used Oil Management Plan (NUOMP) to ensure safe collection, storage, and disposal of used oil.

• Preparing a Disaster Waste Management Plan to strengthen resilience and post-disaster recovery.

• Supporting marine litter monitoring and community engagement to address coastal and ocean pollution.

• Enhancing technical capacity and data collection for sustainable waste management practices.

• Participating in regional harmonisation efforts to align monitoring, reporting, and policy frameworks across Pacific Island countries.

Epu Falega

Director

Department of Waste Management

Government Building

Funafuti

Vaiaku

Tuvalu

Telephone: +688 2016

Email: [email protected]

Website: