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Plastics production is currently on an upward trajectory and is protected to continue increasing exponentially. Global plastic polymer production double from 200 to 2019, reaching 460 million tonnes (Mt) per year and it is anticipated to almost triple from 2019 levels to 2050. This is uncontrolled growth threatens the global climate as well as human health, biodiversity, human rights and environmental justice.

Waste management and pollution control remains one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the Pacific region. As the region continues to rely increasingly less on locally sourced food products and rapidly acquires increasing quantities of consumer goods, the quantities of wastes, ranging from plastic packaging through to used motor vehicles, is rapidly escalating across the region.

Waste management and pollution control remains one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the Pacific region. As the region continues to rely increasingly less on locally sourced food products and rapidly acquires increasing quantities of consumer goods, the quantities of wastes, ranging from plastic packaging through to used motor vehicles, is rapidly escalating across the region.

As part of the monitoring and evaluation process for the implementation of the Pacific Regional Solid Waste Management Strategy, the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) convened a meeting for senior waste management representatives of Australia, the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu at SPREP, Apia, Samoa on the 5th, 6th & 7th of November 2007. A number of JICA representatives were also in attendance but of particular note was the participation of Professor Sakurai from Okinawa University, a world expert on waste management. Professor Sakurai provided assistance in the delivery of presentation and educated many of the participants on issues relating to waste management.

Solid waste management strategy for the Pacific