Nabilah S
As international representatives convene in Paris to draft a treaty on plastic pollution, concerted efforts in the Pacific, specifically in Port Vila, Vanuatu, are taking concrete shape through the ‘Committing to Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific’ (SWAP) project. Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the SWAP project facilitated Marine Litter training sessions with various local communities, organizations, and governmental bodies in Vanuatu.
The collaborative initiative included beach clean-ups, waste surveys, and audits orchestrated by entities like the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC), Vanuatu Local Authorities, Sustainable Coastlines New Zealand, the French Embassy, and the Samoa-based SWAP team. Three rounds of training were carried out by Sustainable Coastlines New Zealand in May and June, aiming to educate local communities on effective and safe marine litter waste clean-up and on conducting statistically reliable waste audits and surveys.
Julie Pillet, the Project Coordinator of SWAP at SPREP, reported the successful training of 50 participants from three different communities, which resulted in 61 kilos of waste collection. 90% of the collected items were plastic, accounting for 66% of the total weight. She highlighted the unexpected discovery of many fiberglass fragments, suggesting the need for better handling practices to prevent such materials from polluting the environment.
All collected data is accessible on the Litter Intelligence application developed by Sustainable Coastlines. The activities in May marked a significant step towards the SWAP Project’s implementation in Vanuatu. They were a precursor to the forthcoming ‘Tackling Marine Litter’ Pilot Project in the Shefa Province, coordinated by the DEPC and the SWAP Team.
In addition to the Marine Litter Training, the mission to Vanuatu included a visit to the Bouffa Landfill, where the SWAP project plans to enhance the access road to make it passable during the rainy season. This initiative is crucial for the country’s recovery from the March 2023 cyclones.
Further initiatives include the final stakeholders’ consultation workshop with the DEPC to discuss the draft National Used Oil Management Plan for Vanuatu. It is currently estimated that Vanuatu generates between 280,000 and 380,000 liters of used oil annually, the disposal of which is largely unregulated and poses substantial environmental threats. The proposed management plan seeks to establish a framework for better management of used oil and share the responsibility among all national stakeholders.
In conclusion, while plastic pollution negotiations continue in Paris, crucial groundwork is being laid in Pacific Island Countries and Territories to combat this global issue. SWAP’s mission, supported by the AFD and executed by the SPREP, is an embodiment of the international commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, propelling the world towards a more resilient future.
