Papua New Guinea

Measures

Achievements

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)

Names of actions:
Fines are imposed onIllegal importation or manufacturing ofnon-biodegradable plastic shoppingbags.

Targeted products:
Single use plastic shopping bags.

Brief description:
An Environment Permit is required to either import or manufacture biodegradable plastic shopping bags. If breached, fines are imposed, or to some extent suspension of the environment permit will result.

We see a positive improvement fromlast two years

Comments:
There is evidence that retail shops are complying with the policy and the regulation. Conservation and Environment Protection Authority
(CEPA) is no longer issuing environment permits to import single use plastic shopping bags. Plastic litter has generally decreased as a result of this policy and regulation.

Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Names of actions:
Shoppersencouraged to bring reusable shoppingbags.

Brief description:
All retail shops have been warned not to issue plastic shopping bags both biodegradable and non-biodegradable at the check-out counters. Again, they have been advised to provide sustainable alternatives, which shoppers pay.

We see a positive improvement fromlast two years

Comments:
All retail shops have been complying with the policy and regulation although they are not environment permit holders. They are no longer issuing plastic shopping bags at the check-out counters and providing alternatives, which customers are paying. This has been very successful thus far. In addition, shoppers are also providing own alternate shopping bags at their own costs.

Others

Measures

Achievements

Environmentally sound waste management

Enforcement of proper waste management system

Names of actions:
Solid waste management strategy.

Brief description:
All waste, regardless of the state (liquid or solid) has to be properly managed and disposed of accordingly. Plastic shopping bags are considered solid waste, therefore solid waste management principles apply.

We see a positive improvement fromlast two years

Comments:
Plastic shopping bags are disposed of in the landfills, where municipal authorities take charge of treatment and management.

Measures

Achievements

Cleanup of marine plastic litter (MPL)

Collection of scattered waste on beach

Names of actions:
Coastal areas clean-up initiative.

Brief description:
One of the activities CEPA is tasked to undertake is encourage coastal clean-up. This activity is commonly supported annually through World Environment Day and World Oceans Day commemorations.

We see a positive improvement fromlast two years

Comments:
Sectors dealing with environment management, waste management and industrial production support coastal clean through physical participation, and through other means such as been sponsors of certain activities.

Measures

Achievements

Promotion of innovative solutions

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed loop recycling and so on’)

Names of actions:
Ban on non-biodegradable shopping bags.

Brief description:
This policy bans importation and production of non-biodegradable shopping bags. Environment Permit holders were initially advised to provide biodegradable shopping and reusable bags as alternate options.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Use of biodegradable shopping bags increased, but rate of degradation was not fully understood, not measurable and without sufficient evidence, therefore total ban on plastic shopping bags was imposed.

Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution

Names of actions:
Stakeholder Participation.

Brief description:
Environment Permit holders (producers and suppliers) and retail shops were informed to provide biodegradable options, and re-useable and recyclable bags as also alternate options. These new activities are to be included in the environment conditions upon renewal.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Environment Permit holders (producer and suppliers) and retailers have complied with the instructions, and some manufacturers have retrofitted their plants. More reusable shopping bags are common sites in the retail shops. Other home-grown/local products such as carry bags and coconut leaves are replacing plastic shopping bags.

Measures

Achievements

Education and awareness raising

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Students at higher secondary school levels have some idea on marine plastic litter prior to entering tertiary institutions which becomes a specific subject.

Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL

National level:

Names of actions:
Plastic Litter Campaign.

Brief description:
During World Environment Day and World Oceans Day commemorations and other days of significance, awareness and environment education are conducted at primary and secondary schools, and at different communities.

Local level:

Names of actions:
Coastal Community Clean-up.

Brief description:
This action is led by community leaders in the form of Ward Councilors, who organize community youths to conduct awareness by undertaking coastal clean-up and spreading the message of clean and hygienic environment.

National level:

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Students, children and communities are aware of plastic bag pollution. They are also aware of the values of maintaining a plastic free environment. In addition, they make every effort to maintain a clean environment by disposing plastic bags in a proper way.

Local level:

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Comments:
Communities are aware of maintaining a plastic free coastal environment. They are experiencing large fish catch and growth in mud crab population. Mangrove ecosystems are healthy and well maintained.