Regional efforts to turn waste into economic value

September 30, 2024 9:50 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Ezra Toara.

A week-long regional seminar is currently underway in Port Vila, focusing on the principles of the Circular Economy. 

This sustainable model of production and consumption involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials to extend product lifecycles.

Julie Pillet from the Committing to Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific (SWAP) Project explained that the workshop aims to show that waste is not just rubbish but a valuable resource.

She outlined how waste can be transformed into new products such as bags and other useful items.

“This week-long workshop will discuss ways to recycle used oil from vehicles and businesses and explore composting and sustainable financing options to ensure businesses can benefit from these initiatives,” Pillet said.

She mentioned discussions will also look at how materials dumped in landfill sites can be reused to create value and generate new jobs.

Pillet noted that poor waste management practices harm the environment. “This workshop is about maintaining proper waste management and ensuring our waste can be turned into economic opportunities,” she said.

The workshop is attended by 60 participants, including representatives from Pacific island nations, business leaders, and investors. It is funded by the SWAP project with support from the European Union (EU), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other partners.

Pillet pointed out that managing waste effectively can lead to a circular economy, where products are reused rather than discarded. “In practice, this means reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy through recycling, creating further value.”

The Circular Economy differs from the traditional linear model, which follows a take-make-consume-throw-away cycle, relying heavily on large quantities of cheap materials and energy. In contrast, the Circular Economy focuses on reducing resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation, thereby protecting the environment. 

Additionally, it decreases reliance on raw materials, reducing risks associated with price volatility and availability. The Circular Economy model also supports local job creation and stimulates economic growth, making it a more sustainable and beneficial approach for both the economy and the environment.

The workshop is also exploring how Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) can adopt Circular Economy principles in waste management through import bans, quality controls, sustainable finance schemes, composting programmes, and recycling infrastructure.

The Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is supporting PICTs in implementing Circular Economy activities, including creating a Regional Circular Economy Network to share experiences and lessons learned. The workshop is delivered through various projects, including the SWAP Project (Agence Française de Développement), PacWastePlus Programme (EU), PacPlan (Australia), Small Island Developing States (GEF ISLANDS), and J-PRISM III (JICA).

The workshop is organised into seven key sessions, each addressing different aspects of waste management and sustainability. These include discussions on regulation and policy for hazardous waste, such as the management of used oil, and a site visit to the Bouffa Landfill to explore practical waste management solutions. 

Other sessions cover waste-to-energy solutions, emergency response strategies for oil and chemical spills, and the role of disaster waste in the Circular Economy. Participants will also examine organic waste management practices in the Pacific and explore sustainable financing options for effective waste management.

The workshop’s objectives include familiarising participants with the concept of a Circular Economy, discussing its relevance to the Pacific region, and strengthening regional networking around sustainable waste management. 

Representatives from French territories such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna are also contributing their experiences to the discussions.

The regional dialogue seeks to chart a sustainable path for the Pacific by transforming waste into a valuable resource, ultimately benefiting both the environment and the economy.