Waste management on atolls : discussion paper

Abstract

Atolls represent a special challenge for waste managers. The lack of physical space, the very porous substrate of coral, the use of the groundwater and the excessive quantities of packaging arising from imported goods all make disposal in sanitary landfills problematic. Sometimes, goods that have already been substantially exhausted, such as older cars, are imported due to their lower purchase price for the consumer but a high and unfunded cost for government in disposal. However, the shortened usable life only places more pressure and cost on the resultant waste disposal. The lack of financial resources and technical capacity also reduces the application of incineration as a viable disposal option. This issue with disposal forces atolls to concentrate on minimizing waste as a focus for an integrated cost-effective management strategy'.