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In the expanse of the Pacific, where the rhythm of the tides has long danced with the vibrant cultures of the people who call its shores home, a crisis unfolds. The same currents that once carried food, knowledge and traditions now bring plastic, choking marine life, burying shorelines, and threatening a way of life that has endured for generations. Voices of the Pacific (COP) brings forward the voices of those at the heart of this crisis: community leaders, chiefs and everyday islanders confronting the daily realities of plastic pollution. The film paints a portrait of multigenerational island families spread across the Pacific, each facing struggles yet together firming a powerful reflection of the regions' ongoing fight. Through the eyes of children, who will one day become the custodians of these lands and waters, we hear the stories of their elders, the changes they have witnessed, and the uncertain future they now face. From the pristine shores of Fiji to the low-lying atolls of Kiribati and Tuvalu, we witness the far-reaching impact of plastic waste, much of it arriving from distant countries. As Pacific nations push for justice in the UN Plastic Treaty negotiations, their struggle becomes a rallying cry for the world, reminding us that the fate of the ocean is the fate of us all. This is not just a story of loss; it is story of hope, a celebration of culture, and a call to action. VOP challenges industries, policymakers and consumers to take responsibility and turn the tide on plastic pollution before it is too late.

In the expanse of the Pacific, where the rhythm of the tides has long danced with the vibrant cultures of the people who call its shores home, a crisis unfolds. The same currents that once carried food, knowledge and traditions now bring plastic, choking marine life, burying shorelines and threatening a way of life that has endured for generations.

Currently much of the waste going to community dumps is organic materials (40-65%) which, when mixed in a dump with other material like plastics and nappies etc, can cause soil and water pollution, odour, and methane (climate change effects). Converting this material to compost can benefit communities – by improving soil quality, increasing crop yield, assisting climate resistance, and saving money (replace imported fertilizers). This animation assists communities to establish a community scale compost program (for communities up to 50 households) – briefly covering topics of: 1. importance of organic materials management 2. how to make a compost bin 3. how to add items: understanding the “carbon / nitrogen ratio”, and ensuring correct balance of air, food and water 4. how to use compost Organic materials are not a waste – they are a resource! For more details in establishing a community compost facility please visit the factsheet: https://pacwasteplus.org/resources/how-do-i-compost-a-guide-for-community-composting/

Training resource to support delivery of the accompanying PowerPoint for facilitating the organics training session, including speaking notes, facilitator guidance and step-by-step instructions fro delivery for both the class-room and hands-on components of the course. Part of a broader suite of resources aimed at improving organic waste management, these training resources help divert organic materials from landfill and turn waste into valuable resource. The facilitator guide can be used for trainers, officers and facility operators seeking to undertake training on compost facility operation.

Waste Auditing is a fundamental activity that is used to understand waste management practices and enable national governments to understand and respond to the social and environmental issues posed by waste management. Undertaking auditing in a standardised process enables governments to track trends over time and make informed decisions on systems and processes. This animation provides a summary of waste auditing and introduces resources to assist with audit design and planning.

This case study will focus on the construc􀆟on of the three healthcare waste facili􀆟es specifically designed for healthcare waste disposal.

This animation video raises awareness about the environmental and health risks associated with the improper disposal of end-of-life tyres. It illustrates how discarded tyres, when left unmanaged, become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, contribute to pollution through illegal burning, and degrade natural landscapes. The video advocates for responsible tyre management practices, including proper disposal, recycling, and support for national initiatives that promote sustainable waste handling. By visually demonstrating the long-term impacts of poor disposal and the benefits of environmentally sound solutions, the animation aims to inspire individuals, communities, and businesses to take action. The video ultimately encourages collective responsibility to protect public health and preserve the environment from the growing threat of tyre waste.

A monthly e-bulletin of activities and assistance from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme to its member countries.

A new report has found that more than 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was dumped or burned globally last year, which is the equivalent of 350 cruise ships, and up more than 20 per cent in just five years. The UN's Global E-waste Monitor 2020 also ranked Oceania as the second highest region, per capita, of e-waste, with each person generating 16.1 kilograms on average, it said. Common e-waste items include old mobile phones, batteries, TVs, computers and tablets. But Australia and New Zealand are the leading producers of that e-waste, with people in Pacific countries like Samoa and Tonga estimated to produce 3.1 kilograms per person, and in Fiji and PNG, the figure was just 1.5 kilograms. It's a problematic issue across the globe but in the Pacific, where in many countries there isn't the space for all this dumped technology, problems are looming. The region's peak environment body, SPREP, is working on several projects to tackle the issue. Bradley Nolan, the Project Manager for PacWastePlus, which is funded by the European Union, told Pacific Beat "disposable societies and large incomes" in countries like Australia and New Zealand explain why residents in those countries produce such large quantities of e-waste. And he suggested that Australia and other donor partners may in fact contribute to some of the e-waste in Pacific nations, with equipment such as computers donated when they had reached their end-of-life there. "There have been some incidents where some of the metropolitan countries [ie Australia, New Zealand] when some of their products are at the end of their useful life, say in a government department, has gifted those to countries to help out. "But of course they have less life, so they become an instant e-waste problem when they hit the islands...so aid and the work that people are attempting to do, with great intentions, creates some significant problems at the other end," he said.

In this video, we take you through the impactful beach cleanup and waste audit activities happening in Vanuatu as part of the SWAP (Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific) project. This collaborative effort, funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and led by the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC), Vanuatu, brings together local communities, local authorities, schools, and youth to tackle marine litter and its harmful effects on our environment.