Search the SPREP Catalogue

Marine litter negatively affects the environment, people and coastal economies around the world. In the Pacific region, the problem is even more severe given countries’ reliance on healthy ocean ecosystems and services. To promote a Cleaner Pacific, SPREP actively participated in the International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023 through the Agence française de Développement-funded SWAP Project, in collaboration with the Australian funded POLP Project, as well as the ISLANDS Pacific Ocean and PLASTIC TIDE TURNERS Projects. Hence, the SWAP project supported the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Samoa to conduct a beach clean-up activity. 55 participants volunteered for the preservation of their environment by collecting 35 kg of waste from the mangrove of the village of Vaovai located in the Falealili District, Upolu, Samoa.

Marine litter negatively affects the environment people and coastal economies around the world. In the Pacific region the problem is even more serious as countries depends on healthy and sustainable marine ecosystems. To promote a Cleaner Pacific, SPREP actively participated in the International Coastal Clean-up Day 2023 for the third year through Agence francaise de deceloppement funded SWAP Project in collaboration with the Australian funded POLP project as well as the ISLANDS Pacific Ocean and Plastic Tide Turners projects.

In celebration of International Coastal Clean-Up Day (ICCD) 2023, the Moata’a Village Community and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), joined through Committing to Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific (SWAP) Project, unite in efforts to clean Taumeasina's marine litter. This harmonious effort represents our unwavering dedication to safeguarding our coastal treasures and eradicating plastic pollution from our marine ecosystems. Each year, SWAP Project, in conjunction with local communities, undertakes marine litter clean-ups, waste audits, and surveys. We invite you to watch this video and become inspired to join this movement in the quest for cleaner, healthier oceans. Together, we can make a significant impact.

Samoa's waste management practices are mostly limited to landfilling. Recycling efforts are primarily carried out by private operators, with some support from the government. A large proportion of organic waste is sustainably self-managed in rural communities. The remaining waste is commonly burnt, buried, or dumped.

Marine pollution is the result of harmful chemicals entering the ocean, polluted waste waters industrial, agricultural and residential waste, garbage from ships and the spread of invasive organisms. A major source of marine pollution is related to plastics intentionally thrown from shore or boats or are unintentionally carried by winds or streams.

Sustainable coastlines is providing in person training for communities and associations involved in the implementation of the SWAP Marine Litter Pilot projects to enable them to conduct statistically sound beach litter surveys and audits during clean-up activities and to enable them to record this data using the litter intelligence online application for Marine litter data sharing.

Used oil is defined as petroleum-based or synthetic oil or fluid that through contamination had become suitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities or loss of original properties

Every year, the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems is estimated between 9-14 million ton and this projection could nearly triple to 23-37 million tons per year by 2040.

Poor management of used oil is a major environment concern for Pacific Island nations. Samoan data (2018-2021) indicates that an average of 740,00 Lts of lubricants are imported into the country annually.

For the Pacific island countries, proper recycling of the increasing amount of waste plastics and waste oil is a pressing concern.