Assessment of Legislative Frameworks Governing Waste Management in Samoa.

Abstract

Samoa has a well-developed system of waste management legislation compared to many other Pacific Island nations. It has a dedicated Waste Management Act introduced in 2010, which is administered by the Ministry for Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE). This principal legislation on waste management is complemented by other environmental and planning laws. An analysis of the national waste situation has been undertaken through the National Waste Management Strategy 2019-2023, with identified priorities and action plans. Administration of the Waste Management Act is centralised in the MNRE, although other agencies, such as the Planning and Urban Management Agency (PUMA), play important roles in administering laws relevant to waste management facilities. PUMA sits within the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure.