Solomon Islands commences work on introducing Product Stewardship Scheme

Audits of Solomon Island’s waste stream in 2019 and 2021, identified more than 80 percent of materials currently landfilled can be diverted through the introduction of both recycling and organics management systems.  

Following the national plastic ban in 2023, MECDM has identified other key opportunities for managing waste in the Solomon Islands.

“Banning certain single-use plastics where a viable alternative exists was an exciting start for our country to consider the items we are using, and saying no to the ones we don’t need,” Deputy Director Environment,  Environment and Conservation Division, Ms. Debra Kereseka said.

Kereseka further highlighted that it was determined during the drafting of the Plastic Ban Regulations that “many other common waste items are not appropriate to be banned but should be managed through other means.  In particular beverage containers were identified, as a material to be managed through a “deposit-refund” arrangement could incentivise the community to return the items to recycling points and provide financing to assist the recyclers to process and manage the items”.

The Technical Working Committee nominated MECDM as the chair.  SPREP, through the PacWastePlus Programme, is supporting the work on Product Stewardship in the Solomon Islands.

ENDS///

SPREP