Samoa

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
As noted above, the use of single-use plastics are banned completely under the Regulations including shopping bags, packing bags, straws and Styrofoam food containers, cups and trays.

No particular change observed

Comments:
Samoa’s manufacturing sector is very small, only 5.5% of Samoa’s economy and includes manufacturing of food and beverages (MCIL Annual Report 2019/20 p.12). Most of the plastic found in Samoa is imported. Samoa’s import data for 2019/20 accounts for 21% food; 17.4% for construction material; 8.3% motor vehicles etc.

There are a growing number of bottled water companies in Samoa including other beverages such as locally made health drinks / juices using ginger, lemon and turmeric. A decision by the Samoa Coca Cola Beverage Company to discontinue the use of glass bottles in favor of plastic bottles is cause for great concern.

At present, Samoa is finalizing its Container Deposit Levy or Container Refund Schemes.

Samoa recently launched the Circular Economy for the Recovery of Waste (CERO) Waste Programme supported by the United Nations Development Programme’s COVID-19 Rapid Financing Facility, and co-funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whose support has been facilitated by the British High Commission in Apia. The project is set to “create sustainable and inclusive livelihood opportunities to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy in Samoa”.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Waste (Plastic Bag) Management Regulations 2018

Environmentally sound waste management

Names of actions:
Waste collection services

Brief description:
The Government’s waste collection services cover 4 inhabited islands and the collection frequency is twice a week with quarterly bulky waste collection. Two Fukuoka landfills; one on Upolu Island (main) and one on Savaii island.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
A waste collection monitoring system is in place using GPS technology which is the first for the Pacific.

Names of actions:
Law enforcement and public awareness programs

Brief description:
Law enforcement is critical and goes together with public awareness programs to inform the general public of the impacts of inappropriate activities in regards to waste. Public litter bins have been installed in public places and segregation cages in place for main supermarkets around Apia township.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Littering and Illegal dumping are dealt with accordingly while leakage into the ocean from sea is a challenge.

Cleanup of marine plastic litter

Names of actions:
Coastal Clean ups

Brief description:
MNRE and other partners together with communities have conducted coastal and mangrove clean ups in the last two years.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
The Ministry works closely with its partners and communities in conducting coastal clean ups including community mangrove clean ups. Local NGOs have been very proactive in initiating community based clean ups.

No particular change observed

Comments:
We have yet to conduct a nation-wide ocean clean up due to lack of funds and other required resources.

However, MNRE through its Water Resources Division piloted the installation of trash booms with the support of SRPEP for 3 years. The project was successful in preventing rubbish including plastic from entering the sea. Data was collected and as a result the Ministry established its River Ecosystem Health Monitoring (REHM) Program targeting problematic urban river systems. This program was effective in monitoring illegal dumping of rubbish into the rivers and along river banks. Since 2014 the Ministry has undertaken fortnightly site visits targeting families residing along the riverbanks. At present, traditional monitoring structures are being utilized to monitor and report to the ministry through village bylaws.

Given the practical success of the trash booms, the Ministry has procured biolog-filters with the support of JICA to be installed at Fagalii village.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) through its Fisheries Division is responsible for monitoring all fishing vessels including monitoring/recording of waste such as plastics used by fishermen and fishing vessels are disposed of appropriately upon arrival. This is one good example of managing plastic waste produced as a result of commercial fishing operations.

Promotion of innovative solutions

Names of actions:
Waste (Plastic Bag) Management Regulations 2018, Consultations and public awareness

Brief description:
Consultations were conducted in development of the Regulations on banning certain plastic items for Government agencies, Private Sector including business communities and the public

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
During consultations, alternatives were identified and now in place to substitute the banned plastic items. This includes the use of recycled materials and local fabrics and plant based materials.

Names of actions:
Pilot projects

Brief description:
Pilot projects with private sector are about to kick start in reusing, re-purposing of plastics (PET) to create new products

No particular change observed

Comments:
Opportunities exist through SPREP executed regional projects such as the PACWASTE PLUS Project, SWAP AFD Project and the recently launched UNDP executed CERO Project.

Education and awareness raising

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Consultations and school programs have been conducted to promote preventive measures to avoid dumping of wastes in river systems ending up in our ocean. The MNRE through the Divisions of Environment and Conservation and Water Resources Management work closely with local communities through national clean-up campaigns for targeted rivers and mangrove areas. Awareness programs include community consultations, school programs, radio talk-back shows and televised advertisements

Numerical data:
See MNRE Annual Reports

National level:

Names of actions:
Tv and radio talk shows, billboards

Brief description:
Ongoing media shows(tv and radio) with feedback from the audience on live shows were positive

Local level:

Names of actions:
Community outreach programs

Brief description:
Community clean ups and presentations

International / Regional level:

Names of actions:
International and regional dialogues

Brief description:
Discussions of possibilities of having a legal global instrument to address plastic pollution

National level:

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Positive feedback from the public on live radio shows supporting national efforts on plastic ban and littering. For example, the Ministry has received very positive response from villages involved in the mangrove clean-up campaign such as the Moataa and Vaiusu villages.

Local level:

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years

Comments:
Community based clean ups have been very effective in promoting awareness programs on proper waste disposal, impact on mangroves and community actions needed.

International / Regional level:

No particular change observed

Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter

No particular change observed

Comments:
Monitoring including law enforcement ongoing. But more needs to be done. The implementation of Samoa’s Ocean Strategy will see more attention given to scientific research on ocean and microplastics.

No particular change observed

Comments:
Need stronger engagement to build capacity in monitoring and to undertake scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface micro-plastics.