Tuvalu

Develop concept notes for potential projects:

APWC was engaged by the UK Government to undertake a scoping assignment to clarify specific priority actions, policies and instruments and define options for specific technical assistance activities that the UK could fund to support countries efforts to mitigate marine plastic pollution in line with the ambitions of Commonwealth Clean Oceans Allicance (CCOA). APWC led a process of research, analysis and consultation with in-country stakeholders to develop potential technical assistance activities which were documented and submitted to the UK Government in the form of several concept notes. Additional analysis was also undertaken to provide supplementary information on priority areas. The work was undertaken for Belize, Fiji, Tonga and Tuvalu and three concept notes were developed for Pacific region for potential regional projects.

Feasibility study for Funafuti transfer and recycling station and outer island external transfer stations:

The purpose of this project was to look at more effective and efficient ways in terms of operation procedures, designs, recycling market, asset management plan and safety measures applicable for both the Funafuti and outer islands external transfer stations. This was done by consultation and briefing sessions with key stakeholders, field observations and assessments and lastly compiling a feasibility study report and update Funafuti Transfer Station Operation Manual/Guidelines (in progress).

Solid Waste Management Audits and institutional assessment

APWC project director was the recycling specialist for stage 1 of the scoping study for the establishment of a regional recycling network in the Pacific. The team undertook a waste audit and institutional assessment for Tuvalu that will inform the feasibility of the development of a pacific wide regional recycling network as well as private sector initiatives. The scoping exercise assembled the data around all the relevant elements necessary at the country level for assessing the feasibility of the establishment of a processing/recycling/trans shipment hub with suitably scaled urban centres located in the other PICs participating in the network.

Belize

Develop concept notes for potential projects:

APWC was engaged by the UK Government to undertake a scoping assignment to clarify specific priority actions, policies and instruments and define options for specific technical assistance activities that the UK could fund to support countries efforts to mitigate marine plastic pollution in line with the ambitions of Commonwealth Clean Oceans Allicance (CCOA). APWC led a process of research, analysis and consultation with in-country stakeholders to develop potential technical assistance activities which were documented and submitted to the UK Government in the form of several concept notes. Additional analysis was also undertaken to provide supplementary information on priority areas. The work was undertaken for Belize, Fiji, Tonga and Tuvalu and three concept notes were developed for Pacific region for potential regional projects.

Quantification of land based sources of marine litter:

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake data collection, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.  APWC undertook a systems approach to data collection to gain an understanding of how, where and what types of waste is generated and managed from a data, policy, infrastructure and capacity context. The APWC data-collection method assessed the amount of waste requiring immediate management, how and possible reasons waste leaked into the environment, and, in conjunction with extensive household interviews, the socio-economic and waste disposal behaviours of residents. In 2019, the results of the study were used by the government of Vanuatu to announce one of the most extensive bans on single use plastics in the Pacific region. In Solomon Islands, a detailed Marine litter and waste management plans were developed by various islands and provinces, a National Marine litter action plan was developed in Belize and data collected was used in various high level meetings in South Africa and is driving collaborations till date.

Port Waste Reception Facilities Audit:

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake Port Waste Reception Facility Audit (PWRF) in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.

A full Port Waste Reception Facility (PWRF) audit was also undertaken across the four countries that covered all domestic and international ports. The PWRF audit included a review of shipping activity per port to gain an understanding of the status of the acceptance and management of Ship Generated Waste (SGW), engaging with relevant organisations to assess the ship generated waste (SGW), port reception facilities (PRF) and waste reception and handling (WRH) plans for the ports to include all international and domestic arrivals. All types of ship-generated waste and cargo residues originating from ships visiting the ports were audited and reviewed whether the waste disposal facilities were deemed suitable according to the size of the ports and the types of ships frequenting the ports. A series of recommendations to improve waste reception facilities and better management of waste from the maritime sector including fisheries and tourism were provided.

Fiji

Develop concept notes for potential projects

APWC was engaged by the UK Government to undertake a scoping assignment to clarify specific priority actions, policies and instruments and define options for specific technical assistance activities that the UK could fund to support countries efforts to mitigate marine plastic pollution in line with the ambitions of Commonwealth Clean Oceans Allicance (CCOA). APWC led a process of research, analysis and consultation with in-country stakeholders to develop potential technical assistance activities which were documented and submitted to the UK Government in the form of several concept notes. Additional analysis was also undertaken to provide supplementary information on priority areas. The work was undertaken for Belize, Fiji, Tonga and Tuvalu and three concept notes were developed for Pacific region for potential regional projects.

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI)

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) is part of the IUCN global Close the Plastic Tap programme working in six (6) Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) in the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa) and Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Grenada) and across three sectors (fishing, tourism and waste management). The expected result of the project is a reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage from SIDs. APWC is currently quantifying, at national level, all inputs and outputs of plastic including imports and exports at national level (tons/year) for each SIDS integrating locally-sourced, field-level data complemented with national data sets and other relevant sources. The data is being used to perform a material flow analysis per sector of plastic by category of plastic, resulting in identification of total amount of plastic waste generated, leakage and plastic stock. Based on the results of the assessments, APWC will provide evidence-based guidance on which to take informed actions to reduce plastic waste across value chains assessed.

Market Assessment

In 2020, APWC was engaged to undertake a market assessment for providing both a macro picture of the Fijian market for recyclable materials and its future trends, as well as identify concrete and quantifiable growth opportunities for a Fijian based recycling operator. The avenues for growth are to be quantified into three categories: geographical expansion, deepening and widening of sourcing channels, as well as potential of opportunities to value add as a cost competitive alternative to imported materials for local manufacturing and open new and high margin business opportunities for the business.

Tonga

Develop concept notes for potential projects:

APWC was engaged by the UK Government to undertake a scoping assignment to clarify specific priority actions, policies and instruments and define options for specific technical assistance activities that the UK could fund to support countries efforts to mitigate marine plastic pollution in line with the ambitions of Commonwealth Clean Oceans Allicance (CCOA). APWC led a process of research, analysis and consultation with in-country stakeholders to develop potential technical assistance activities which were documented and submitted to the UK Government in the form of several concept notes. Additional analysis was also undertaken to provide supplementary information on priority areas. The work was undertaken for Belize, Fiji, Tonga and Tuvalu and three concept notes were developed for Pacific region for potential regional projects.

Solid Waste Management Audits for Kiribati, Samoa and Tonga:

APWC was engaged by the World Bank – part of a broader Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) commissioned research study to collect accurate and current information on recyclable commodities in six Pacific countries. This project will collect and assess the data from detailed waste audits (Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga) to inform the viability of the broader PRIF Scoping Study for the Regional Recycling Network for the Eastern Pacific Region. The team undertook a waste audit and institutional assessment for the three countries that will inform the feasibility of the development of a pacific wide regional recycling network as well as private sector initiatives. The scoping exercise assembled the data around all the relevant elements necessary at the country level for assessing the feasibility of the establishment of a processing/recycling/trans-shipment hub with suitably scaled urban centres located in the other PICs participating in the network.

Vanuatu

Technical Assistance to support the development of Advanced Recovery Deposit & Fee Legislation for Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Sustainable financing systems such as Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is seen by countries in the Pacific as a solution for long-term management of these low-value recyclable materials by providing financial security for the recovery, dismantling, sorting, packing and shipment of materials to recovery and recycling markets. Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is building on from the success of Container Deposit /Waste Levy systems currently operating in five Pacific countries. In addition to beverage containers, Advance Recovery Fee and Deposit systems allow for the inclusion of other problematic items – such as vehicles, whiteware, solar batteries, etc. This assignment seeks to provide required information and legislative assistance to develop and implement an Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee system in Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

APWC led the development of the feasibility study components in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and reviewed the study components in Nauru and Nuie. The work included:

• Working with country stakeholders to choose the materials that are most suitable for inclusion in an ARDF system
• Working with economists and data experts to develop a cost model to estimate levy rates including developing guidance on the split of levy amounts between operator, administrator, and processors
• Developing guidance on the legislative reform that needs to be undertaken to ensure an appropriate legal framework is in place for imposition of a levy, management and disbursement of funds
• Developing the options available to the country for the successful operation of the scheme.

Landfill Audit

AAPWC, in collaboration with Tonkin & Taylor  undertook a follow up audit for landfills in Vanuatu using the methodology "Waste audits in SIDS: A common Approach" written by APWC's project director and adopted jointly by WB, SPREP, UNEP and PRIF. The results will be available on the SPREP website when complete.
Landfill audits were carried out at the Bouffa landfill in Vanuatu, including physical audits of bagged waste as per the “Waste audit methodology”. Audits ensured that the categories between other previous/current audits and this audit are aligned to complete a full baseline as per the methodology. Stockpile data collection was undertaken – especially those stockpiles that exist within the recycling sector. Customs (Import, Export) Data was also collected from the Customs department. The final report was limited to the audits and analysis of the Landfill site, stockpiles, and the customs data. This report then forms an addendum to the waste audit reports available from cefas.

Plastic Waste Free Islands

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) is part of the IUCN global Close the Plastic Tap programme working in six (6) Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) in the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa) and Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Grenada) and across three sectors (fishing, tourism and waste management). The expected result of the project is a reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage from SIDs. APWC is currently quantifying, at national level, all inputs and outputs of plastic including imports and exports at national level (tons/year) for each SIDS integrating locally-sourced, field-level data complemented with national data sets and other relevant sources. The data is being used to perform a material flow analysis per sector of plastic by category of plastic, resulting in identification of total amount of plastic waste generated, leakage and plastic stock. Based on the results of the assessments, APWC will provide evidence-based guidance on which to take informed actions to reduce plastic waste across value chains assessed.

Quantification of Land based sources of marine litter

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake data collection, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.  APWC undertook a systems approach to data collection to gain an understanding of how, where and what types of waste is generated and managed from a data, policy, infrastructure and capacity context. The APWC data-collection method assessed the amount of waste requiring immediate management, how and possible reasons waste leaked into the environment, and, in conjunction with extensive household interviews, the socio-economic and waste disposal behaviours of residents. In 2019, the results of the study were used by the government of Vanuatu to announce one of the most extensive bans on single use plastics in the Pacific region. In Solomon Islands, a detailed Marine litter and waste management plans were developed by various islands and provinces, a National Marine litter action plan was developed in Belize and data collected was used in various high level meetings in South Africa and is driving collaborations till date.

Port Waste Reception Facilities Audit

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake Port Waste Reception Facility Audit (PWRF) in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.

A full Port Waste Reception Facility (PWRF) audit was also undertaken across the four countries that covered all domestic and international ports. The PWRF audit included a review of shipping activity per port to gain an understanding of the status of the acceptance and management of Ship Generated Waste (SGW), engaging with relevant organisations to assess the ship generated waste (SGW), port reception facilities (PRF) and waste reception and handling (WRH) plans for the ports to include all international and domestic arrivals. All types of ship-generated waste and cargo residues originating from ships visiting the ports were audited and reviewed whether the waste disposal facilities were deemed suitable according to the size of the ports and the types of ships frequenting the ports. A series of recommendations to improve waste reception facilities and better management of waste from the maritime sector including fisheries and tourism were provided.

Training needs analysis, capacity building and training

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake training needs analysis, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake data collection to quantify land based sources of marine litter, undertake port waste reception facilities audit, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Island.

A review was completed in both Solomon Islands and Vanuatu with the following focus areas:

•   Monitoring and reporting (including waste volumes, composition and management
•   Waste disposal site improvement, operation and maintenance in accordance with best practices
•   Organic waste management
•   E-waste management
•   Litigation, enforcement, compliance, monitoring and prosecution of waste legislation.

National training was then delivered according to international standards to the involved organisations and departments to improve national monitoring, compliance, and reporting programmes.

Solomon Islands

Technical Assistance to support the development of Advanced Recovery Deposit & Fee Legislation for Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Sustainable financing systems such as Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is seen by countries in the Pacific as a solution for long-term management of these low-value recyclable materials by providing financial security for the recovery, dismantling, sorting, packing and shipment of materials to recovery and recycling markets. Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is building on from the success of Container Deposit /Waste Levy systems currently operating in five Pacific countries. In addition to beverage containers, Advance Recovery Fee and Deposit systems allow for the inclusion of other problematic items – such as vehicles, whiteware, solar batteries, etc. This assignment seeks to provide required information and legislative assistance to develop and implement an Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee system in Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

APWC led the development of the feasibility study components in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and reviewed the study components in Nauru and Nuie. The work included:

• Working with country stakeholders to choose the materials that are most suitable for inclusion in an ARDF system
• Working with economists and data experts to develop a cost model to estimate levy rates including developing guidance on the split of levy amounts between operator, administrator, and processors
• Developing guidance on the legislative reform that needs to be undertaken to ensure an appropriate legal framework is in place for imposition of a levy, management and disbursement of funds
• Developing the options available to the country for the successful operation of the scheme.

Quantification of Land based sources of marine litter

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake data collection, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.  APWC undertook a systems approach to data collection to gain an understanding of how, where and what types of waste is generated and managed from a data, policy, infrastructure and capacity context. The APWC data-collection method assessed the amount of waste requiring immediate management, how and possible reasons waste leaked into the environment, and, in conjunction with extensive household interviews, the socio-economic and waste disposal behaviours of residents. In 2019, the results of the study were used by the government of Vanuatu to announce one of the most extensive bans on single use plastics in the Pacific region. In Solomon Islands, a detailed Marine litter and waste management plans were developed by various islands and provinces, a National Marine litter action plan was developed in Belize and data collected was used in various high level meetings in South Africa and is driving collaborations till date.

Port Waste Reception Facilities Audit

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake Port Waste Reception Facility Audit (PWRF) in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.

A full Port Waste Reception Facility (PWRF) audit was also undertaken across the four countries that covered all domestic and international ports. The PWRF audit included a review of shipping activity per port to gain an understanding of the status of the acceptance and management of Ship Generated Waste (SGW), engaging with relevant organisations to assess the ship generated waste (SGW), port reception facilities (PRF) and waste reception and handling (WRH) plans for the ports to include all international and domestic arrivals. All types of ship-generated waste and cargo residues originating from ships visiting the ports were audited and reviewed whether the waste disposal facilities were deemed suitable according to the size of the ports and the types of ships frequenting the ports. A series of recommendations to improve waste reception facilities and better management of waste from the maritime sector including fisheries and tourism were provided.

Training needs analysis, capacity building and training

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake training needs analysis, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake data collection to quantify land based sources of marine litter, undertake port waste reception facilities audit, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Island.

A review was completed in both Solomon Islands and Vanuatu with the following focus areas:

•   Monitoring and reporting (including waste volumes, composition and management
•   Waste disposal site improvement, operation and maintenance in accordance with best practices
•   Organic waste management
•   E-waste management
•   Litigation, enforcement, compliance, monitoring and prosecution of waste legislation.

National training was then delivered according to international standards to the involved organisations and departments to improve national monitoring, compliance, and reporting programmes.

South Africa

Quantification of Land based sources of marine litter

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake data collection, capacity building and training in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.  APWC undertook a systems approach to data collection to gain an understanding of how, where and what types of waste is generated and managed from a data, policy, infrastructure and capacity context. The APWC data-collection method assessed the amount of waste requiring immediate management, how and possible reasons waste leaked into the environment, and, in conjunction with extensive household interviews, the socio-economic and waste disposal behaviours of residents. In 2019, the results of the study were used by the government of Vanuatu to announce one of the most extensive bans on single use plastics in the Pacific region. In Solomon Islands, a detailed Marine litter and waste management plans were developed by various islands and provinces, a National Marine litter action plan was developed in Belize and data collected was used in various high level meetings in South Africa and is driving collaborations till date.

Port Waste Reception Facilities Audit

Since April 2018, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu co-chair the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance (CCOA), an initiative to unite countries across the Commonwealth in protecting the marine environment. The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) supports CCOA in meeting its objectives and was implemented by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). In 2018 Cefas engaged APWC to undertake Port Waste Reception Facility Audit (PWRF) in two Pacific Island nations: Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. This was followed by similar assignments in Belize and South Africa.

A full Port Waste Reception Facility (PWRF) audit was also undertaken across the four countries that covered all domestic and international ports. The PWRF audit included a review of shipping activity per port to gain an understanding of the status of the acceptance and management of Ship Generated Waste (SGW), engaging with relevant organisations to assess the ship generated waste (SGW), port reception facilities (PRF) and waste reception and handling (WRH) plans for the ports to include all international and domestic arrivals. All types of ship-generated waste and cargo residues originating from ships visiting the ports were audited and reviewed whether the waste disposal facilities were deemed suitable according to the size of the ports and the types of ships frequenting the ports. A series of recommendations to improve waste reception facilities and better management of waste from the maritime sector including fisheries and tourism were provided.

Asia Pacific Region

Australia DEE Barriers to Waste Trade Study

In 2020, The Australian government funded research on marine plastic pollution and environmentally responsible trade in the Asia Pacific region as part of Australia's role on the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Oceans Economy. APWC undertook this study jointly with the Institute of Sustainable Futures and Centre for International Economics.The study sought to understand whether and how environmentally responsible trade in recycled plastics can reduce leakage of plastic into the ocean, without merely shifting the plastic waste burden from one country to another. The project also sought to identify opportunities to ensure that trade in recycled plastics in the Asia-Pacific region is environmentally responsible, by identifying capacity gaps and needs in the Asia-Pacific region to manage and recycle plastic materials, including whether changing the types of plastic produced or imported could facilitate improved management and recycling of plastic materials.

Kiribati

Technical Assistance to support the development of Advanced Recovery Deposit & Fee Legislation for Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Sustainable financing systems such as Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is seen by countries in the Pacific as a solution for long-term management of these low-value recyclable materials by providing financial security for the recovery, dismantling, sorting, packing and shipment of materials to recovery and recycling markets. Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is building on from the success of Container Deposit /Waste Levy systems currently operating in five Pacific countries. In addition to beverage containers, Advance Recovery Fee and Deposit systems allow for the inclusion of other problematic items – such as vehicles, whiteware, solar batteries, etc. This assignment seeks to provide required information and legislative assistance to develop and implement an Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee system in Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

APWC led the development of the feasibility study components in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and reviewed the study components in Nauru and Nuie. The work included:

• Working with country stakeholders to choose the materials that are most suitable for inclusion in an ARDF system
• Working with economists and data experts to develop a cost model to estimate levy rates including developing guidance on the split of levy amounts between operator, administrator, and processors
• Developing guidance on the legislative reform that needs to be undertaken to ensure an appropriate legal framework is in place for imposition of a levy, management and disbursement of funds
• Developing the options available to the country for the successful operation of the scheme.

Solid Waste Management Audits

APWC was engaged by the World Bank – part of a broader Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) commissioned research study to collect accurate and current information on recyclable commodities in six Pacific countries. This project will collect and assess the data from detailed waste audits (Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga) to inform the viability of the broader PRIF Scoping Study for the Regional Recycling Network for the Eastern Pacific Region. The team undertook a waste audit and institutional assessment for the three countries that will inform the feasibility of the development of a pacific wide regional recycling network as well as private sector initiatives. The scoping exercise assembled the data around all the relevant elements necessary at the country level for assessing the feasibility of the establishment of a processing/recycling/trans-shipment hub with suitably scaled urban centres located in the other PICs participating in the network.

Samoa

Solid Waste Management Audits for Kiribati, Samoa and Tonga:

APWC was engaged by the World Bank – part of a broader Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) commissioned research study to collect accurate and current information on recyclable commodities in six Pacific countries. This project will collect and assess the data from detailed waste audits (Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga) to inform the viability of the broader PRIF Scoping Study for the Regional Recycling Network for the Eastern Pacific Region. The team undertook a waste audit and institutional assessment for the three countries that will inform the feasibility of the development of a pacific wide regional recycling network as well as private sector initiatives. The scoping exercise assembled the data around all the relevant elements necessary at the country level for assessing the feasibility of the establishment of a processing/recycling/trans-shipment hub with suitably scaled urban centres located in the other PICs participating in the network.

Plastic Waste Free Islands:

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) is part of the IUCN global Close the Plastic Tap programme working in six (6) Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) in the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa) and Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Grenada) and across three sectors (fishing, tourism and waste management). The expected result of the project is a reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage from SIDs. APWC is currently quantifying, at national level, all inputs and outputs of plastic including imports and exports at national level (tons/year) for each SIDS integrating locally-sourced, field-level data complemented with national data sets and other relevant sources. The data is being used to perform a material flow analysis per sector of plastic by category of plastic, resulting in identification of total amount of plastic waste generated, leakage and plastic stock. Based on the results of the assessments, APWC will provide evidence-based guidance on which to take informed actions to reduce plastic waste across value chains assessed.

Indonesia

Project SEA

Project SEA is a pioneer project for the New Plastics Economy an initiative to drive collaborative action between the 11 global plastic packaging companies and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to address plastic debris on marine environments that has gained global community attention. PiPro SEA project aims to help establish best practices for the recovery of plastic waste in priority countries with regards to mismanaged waste. APC was engaged in 2018, to pilot the Assessment Framework (AF) to quantify the nature, quantity and type of packaging and gain a comprehensive understanding of the waste management programs in three target locations in three countries – India, Philippines and Indonesia. The study pioneers the relationship between packaging in the market at each locality and identifies consumption and disposal behaviour at a household and community level and quantify leakage into the environment. The project maps both the formal and informal material flows and reports on current waste management practices re collection, infrastructure, costs, legislative framework and social aspects. The first pilot in West Papua, Indonesia was conducted in 2018 and presented to PiPro members in November 2018 followed by material flow analysis for all polymers in 2019 for India.

India

Project SEA

Project SEA is a pioneer project for the New Plastics Economy an initiative to drive collaborative action between the 11 global plastic packaging companies and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to address plastic debris on marine environments that has gained global community attention. PiPro SEA project aims to help establish best practices for the recovery of plastic waste in priority countries with regards to mismanaged waste. APC was engaged in 2018, to pilot the Assessment Framework (AF) to quantify the nature, quantity and type of packaging and gain a comprehensive understanding of the waste management programs in three target locations in three countries – India, Philippines and Indonesia. The study pioneers the relationship between packaging in the market at each locality and identifies consumption and disposal behaviour at a household and community level and quantify leakage into the environment. The project maps both the formal and informal material flows and reports on current waste management practices re collection, infrastructure, costs, legislative framework and social aspects. The first pilot in West Papua, Indonesia was conducted in 2018 and presented to PiPro members in November 2018 followed by material flow analysis for all polymers in 2019 for India.

Pacific Islands

CLiP evaluation and position paper on waste management project landscape in the Pacific region for the OCPP

APWC was engaged to deliver a series of reports on the impacts of CLiP in collaboration with the Cefas marine litter team. This work focussed on how things have progressed in the last three/four years since CLiPs presence in region (FY 18/19). The work also included an overview of the projects that are currently ongoing or in the pipeline through various development agencies including the World Bank, UNEP, SPREP, ADB, DFAT, MFAT and other regional organisations.

APWC developed a position paper on regional & national projects and research connected to marine litter actions in support of the evaluation. This included:

1. Specific focus for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
2. Mapping stakeholders/ funders involved in these project
3. Listing donor ready projects and connecting this to work already done as part of CLiP and work already happening in region/ country.

The outcomes of the project were:

1. A report that mapped the regional projects that are currently progressing in the region
2. An evaluation and monitoring report that provided updates on all the works undertaken as part of CLiP 2018-19
3. A report that lists investment ready projects developed in collaboration with the countries.

Monitoring and Evaluation System Development for PacWastePlus

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is working with the European Union’s Delegation to the Pacific, and 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor-Leste to undertake the PacWastePlus project which seeks to improve and enhance waste management activities and the capacity of governments, industry, and communities to manage waste to reduce the impact on human health and the environment. During the earlier stages of PacWastePlus’ implementation (in 2018-20), a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan and a Project Logic Framework was developed. This project required these documents to be updated with a view to ensuring they are relevant and specific to the Project outcomes with measurable and achievable targets and that PacWastePlus’ progress can be tacked in a cost-effective manner within the required time frame. The project aimed to develop deliverables to address this, and to provide useful insights and directions to the SPREP Programme Management Unit (PMU) and participating countries.

Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility - Stage 1

APWC director lead a multi-partner coordination, research and technical assistance project for improved materials recovery for recycling in 15 Pacific island nations. The study addressed issues relating to in country recycling systems for waste separation and consolidation, export and market distribution of recyclable materials, public policy to incentivize and finance recycling systems and feedstock supply options to secure private sector investment for 15 materials.  The project was managed by the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) is a multi-partner coordination, research and technical assistance facility for improved infrastructure in the Pacific.

Antigua & Barbuda

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI)

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) is part of the IUCN global Close the Plastic Tap programme working in six (6) Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) in the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa) and Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Grenada) and across three sectors (fishing, tourism and waste management). The expected result of the project is a reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage from SIDs. APWC is currently quantifying, at national level, all inputs and outputs of plastic including imports and exports at national level (tons/year) for each SIDS integrating locally-sourced, field-level data complemented with national data sets and other relevant sources. The data is being used to perform a material flow analysis per sector of plastic by category of plastic, resulting in identification of total amount of plastic waste generated, leakage and plastic stock. Based on the results of the assessments, APWC will provide evidence-based guidance on which to take informed actions to reduce plastic waste across value chains assessed.

Palau

Pacific Child Project

APWC completed a baseline assessment under the Pacific Childs Project. The team undertook a waste audit and institutional assessment that will inform the feasibility of the development of a pacific wide regional recycling network as well as private sector initiatives. The scoping exercise assembled the data around all the relevant elements necessary at the country level for assessing the feasibility of the establishment of a processing/recycling/transshipment hub located somewhere in the Pacific, with suitably scaled urban centres located in the other PICs participating in the network.

Sri Lanka

Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP)- Training needs analysis for the waste sector and recyclers workshop in Sri Lanka

In 2021, CLiP engaged Asia Pacific Waste Consultants (APWC) to undertake a training needs analysis, culminating in the delivery of a two-day workshop showcasing best practice plastic recycling frameworks, infrastructure, technologies, and community engagement activities around the globe.

Through a needs analysis conducted through remote desktop literature reviews, attendance at other CLiP online workshops held for Sri Lankan attendees and input from our in-country advisor, APWC identified several training gap areas for the Sri Lankan plastic recycling sector. A two-day workshop was then designed to showcase opportunities for plastic recyclers in Sri Lanka and to facilitate discussions about collective actions that need to be taken in-country with regards to legislation, policy, infrastructure, and technology to help tackle marine litter and broader waste issues. The workshops included presentations from recyclers across the globe including those from Asia, Australia, Latin America and Europe. The workshop was delivered in three languages English, Sinhala and Tamil and was attended by more than 40 attendees each day.

Based on feedback from participants, the opportunity to participate in such broad scale training workshops was deeply appreciated along with facilitation of conversations and networks between participants who had not had the opportunity to work together before.

Grenada

Plastic Waste Free Islands

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) is part of the IUCN global Close the Plastic Tap programme working in six (6) Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) in the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa) and Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Grenada) and across three sectors (fishing, tourism and waste management). The expected result of the project is a reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage from SIDs. APWC is currently quantifying, at national level, all inputs and outputs of plastic including imports and exports at national level (tons/year) for each SIDS integrating locally-sourced, field-level data complemented with national data sets and other relevant sources. The data is being used to perform a material flow analysis per sector of plastic by category of plastic, resulting in identification of total amount of plastic waste generated, leakage and plastic stock. Based on the results of the assessments, APWC will provide evidence-based guidance on which to take informed actions to reduce plastic waste across value chains assessed.

St Lucia

Plastic Waste Free Islands

Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) is part of the IUCN global Close the Plastic Tap programme working in six (6) Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) in the Pacific (Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa) and Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Grenada) and across three sectors (fishing, tourism and waste management). The expected result of the project is a reduction in plastic waste generation and leakage from SIDs. APWC is currently quantifying, at national level, all inputs and outputs of plastic including imports and exports at national level (tons/year) for each SIDS integrating locally-sourced, field-level data complemented with national data sets and other relevant sources. The data is being used to perform a material flow analysis per sector of plastic by category of plastic, resulting in identification of total amount of plastic waste generated, leakage and plastic stock. Based on the results of the assessments, APWC will provide evidence-based guidance on which to take informed actions to reduce plastic waste across value chains assessed.

Niue

Technical Assistance to support the development of Advanced Recovery Deposit & Fee Legislation for Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Sustainable financing systems such as Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is seen by countries in the Pacific as a solution for long-term management of these low-value recyclable materials by providing financial security for the recovery, dismantling, sorting, packing and shipment of materials to recovery and recycling markets. Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is building on from the success of Container Deposit /Waste Levy systems currently operating in five Pacific countries. In addition to beverage containers, Advance Recovery Fee and Deposit systems allow for the inclusion of other problematic items – such as vehicles, whiteware, solar batteries, etc. This assignment seeks to provide required information and legislative assistance to develop and implement an Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee system in Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

APWC led the development of the feasibility study components in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and reviewed the study components in Nauru and Nuie. The work included:

• Working with country stakeholders to choose the materials that are most suitable for inclusion in an ARDF system
• Working with economists and data experts to develop a cost model to estimate levy rates including developing guidance on the split of levy amounts between operator, administrator, and processors
• Developing guidance on the legislative reform that needs to be undertaken to ensure an appropriate legal framework is in place for imposition of a levy, management and disbursement of funds
• Developing the options available to the country for the successful operation of the scheme.

Timor-Leste

Plastic Up-cycling Market and Economic Analysis for Timor-Leste

The Plastic Upcycling Alliance (PUA) initiative is a three-year program aimed to improve the natural beauty of Timor-Leste while protecting the health and safety of its people by catalyzing the creation and growth of a plastics recycling industry. The program’s goal is to support Timor-Leste on its path to ‘plastic neutral’ status whereby unnecessary plastic use is curtailed and replaced, and up to 20% of Dili’s plastic waste is collected and recycled into locally sought-after products.

As a first step for this project, Mercy Corp have engaged consultant team from Eunomia and APWC to conduct research on global best practices and lessons for developing upcycled/recycled plastic product lines, and their applicability to Timor-Leste. The research will include market and economic analyses that will:

• Support the development of competitive upcycled, recycled, and non-plastic alternative materials/products;
• Identify promising Timor-Leste specific investment opportunities; and
• Develop evidence-informed business cases to support investment.

APWC Consultants led an initial landscape analysis and literature scan of Timor Leste’s waste management capacities especially in relation to plastic waste. This was followed by a market and value chain analysis led by Eunomia and carried out with the support of APWC consultants. Finally, the Consultants assessed investment opportunities and developed evidence-based business cases for the most promising models. This research has, among other things, informed potential subsidy or cost-share mechanisms that PUA could support to mitigate early project development risks for the private sector.

The research was provided to Mercy Corps in the form of three independent reports.

Nauru

Technical Assistance to support the development of Advanced Recovery Deposit & Fee Legislation for Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Sustainable financing systems such as Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is seen by countries in the Pacific as a solution for long-term management of these low-value recyclable materials by providing financial security for the recovery, dismantling, sorting, packing and shipment of materials to recovery and recycling markets. Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee legislation is building on from the success of Container Deposit /Waste Levy systems currently operating in five Pacific countries. In addition to beverage containers, Advance Recovery Fee and Deposit systems allow for the inclusion of other problematic items – such as vehicles, whiteware, solar batteries, etc. This assignment seeks to provide required information and legislative assistance to develop and implement an Advance Recovery Deposit & Fee system in Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

APWC led the development of the feasibility study components in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and reviewed the study components in Nauru and Nuie. The work included:

• Working with country stakeholders to choose the materials that are most suitable for inclusion in an ARDF system
• Working with economists and data experts to develop a cost model to estimate levy rates including developing guidance on the split of levy amounts between operator, administrator, and processors
• Developing guidance on the legislative reform that needs to be undertaken to ensure an appropriate legal framework is in place for imposition of a levy, management and disbursement of funds
• Developing the options available to the country for the successful operation of the scheme.