Procedures for Solid Waste Characterisation Surveys in Pacific Island Countries

Abstract

In the Pacific island countries (PICs) one of the factors that contributes to relatively poor waste management is a lack of consistent data on the quantity and composition of the solid waste stream. A good database is a prerequisite to setting realistic targets for waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and to be able to measure success rates against. The measurement of the waste stream on a regular basis, say every three years, would enable planners to better monitor the efforts made to minimise and better manage waste in a municipality or on an island. Whilst better database on the waste stream does not necessarily mean that the stream would be better managed, it is virtually impossible to manage and monitor the same stream without a good baseline database.