Search the SPREP Catalogue

Responsibilities foe the waste management exist within a range of legislation and regulations but there is no dedicated waste management legislation

Responsibilities foe waste and environmental management exist within a range of legislation and regulations, but no single point of control exists to regulate planning and operation.

The constitution allows the parliment to delegate legislative authority on environmental matters to the Government. Such delegation was effected by law 3/2012 which sets out board directives for the Government to legislate for the protection of the environment. The law promoted the enactment of Decree-Law 26/2012 the Basic Law on the environment which contains a section on solid waste management

Waste governace in the Cook Islands is managed under general environmental and public health legislation, although the adoption of specific waste management legislation has been strongly recommended by past reviews. There are ongoing consultations about a solid and hazardous waste bill, discussed further under Pipeline activities.

Samoa has a well-developed system of waste management legislation compared to may other Pacific Island nations. It has a dedicated Waste Management Act introduced in 2010.

Fiji like many countries in the Pacific, does not have specific legislation dealing with waste management. Instead waste issues are dealt with under general environmental and public health legislation.

Governance over waste issues in Palau is shared between the national government and state governments. State governments have the primary responsibility for waste management. The national government administers the general environmental protection law relating to pollution control and has responsibility for infrastructure planning and public awareness relating to the issue of solid waste.

Nauru has a very limited legislation relevant waste management and governance and no specific legislation on this topic.

Solid waste management was regulated by the Environment and Conservation Act and the Public Health Act. Water pollution and management was regulated by the Water Resources Management Act and 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 matter rising from waste management.

Waste management issue in Niue are governed under general environmental and public health legislation. There is no specific legislation for waste management, given the lac of natural water sources on the island, another important piece of legislation relevant to preventing water pollution in the Water Act 2012