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The Pacific Islands region is located in the western and central Pacific Ocean. The 15 Independent countries and eight territories that make up this region are delineated into three major culture areas, these are Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia (Table 1) and have a combined Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of approximately 29 million km

Plastics have been an integral part of our lives for several decades in the form of convenient and useful commodity items. Plastic products are usually inert, chemically stable, resistant to corrosion, water-proof, durable and light-weight. Ironically, the same features which make them ideal as a raw material for such a wide range of products are also responsible for the environmental problems cited by many environmentalists. Furthermore, the fact that conventional plastics are derived from fossil fuels and are also responsible for greenhouse gas emissions during their manufacture is often a sore point. In particular, the plastic bag has in recent times come under attack for its prolific presence in the environment, and its impact on said environment.