Each year, an estimated 311,090 tonnes of plastic waste are produced within 50 kilometres of the coastlines of Pacific Island nations, according to a report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The report highlights that approximately 73 percent of this waste is at risk of entering marine environments due to factors such as littering, direct disposal into waterways, and wind-driven transfer from improperly managed disposal sites.

The IUCN’s Pacific Regional Report 2021 emphasizes that waste management in these Pacific Island countries (PICs) presents distinctive challenges. Conventional waste management techniques used in developed nations are often not applicable or effective within these island contexts. Currently, many PICs lack the necessary infrastructure and capacity to address the growing issues associated with waste management, including illegal dumping and the leakage of imported materials like single-use plastics.

Plastic waste makes up 7-17 percent of the total waste stream in the region, trailing only organic waste, which constitutes 35-70 percent. Additionally, plastics carried in by trade winds and ocean currents, alongside lost or abandoned fishing gear, contribute significantly to the marine pollution problem faced by these island communities.

The report stresses that the increasing consumption and disposal of plastic in the region present a host of challenges. Major barriers include insufficient infrastructure, limited landfill capabilities, and a lack of viable export markets, all of which elevate the risk of plastic waste entering the environment. Furthermore, reliable waste management services are generally confined to major urban areas, leaving rural and outer island communities with minimal or no waste collection support.

This report serves as a clarion call for better waste management practices and infrastructure investment in the Pacific Islands. By focusing on sustainable solutions and community engagement, the region can work towards reducing plastic waste and protecting its precious marine ecosystems. With collaborative efforts, there is hope that the challenges detailed in the report can be addressed, leading to a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations.