Main objectives of the Partnership/Initiative
The overall goal of this initiative is "to minimise environmental and health impacts from solid and hazardous waste generation and disposal in the Pacific region”. This will be addressed through the following objectives:

To raise awareness in Pacific Island countries at the community, government and political levels, and in the wider international community (especially industry), about the need for positive actions in solid and hazardous waste management in Pacific island countries
To achieve significant reductions in the quantities of wastes currently sent to landfills, through effective waste minimisation programmes including elimination of wastes at source, enhancement of current recycling activities, and the development of recycling/disposal options for other wastes
To upgrade current waste collection and disposal systems through incremental improvements to existing systems and adoption of best regional practices in all new disposal operations.
To implement regional clean-up and disposal programmes for those wastes which cannot be dealt with effectively at a national level
To assess current financial, regulatory, institutional and social barriers to effective waste management in Pacific Island countries and assist governments in developing strategies and systems for overcoming these barriers
To develop and improve current institutional capacities for effective waste management in Pacific Island countries through targeted national and regional training programmes, and the development of on-going programmes within the relevant tertiary institutions, and the development and maintenance of appropriate information networks

Expected Results
Significant reductions in the quantities of wastes that need to be disposed by landfill or other means
Sustainable waste minimisation programmes established in all Pacific Island countries
Reduced potential for adverse environmental and health impacts from on-going waste collection and disposal activities
Current environmental and health impacts eliminated through clean-up and disposal of existing waste stockpiles and contaminated sites
Permanent waste management positions established in relevant government agencies within each country, and staffed with appropriately qualified personnel
Financial, regulatory and other relevant mechanisms adopted within each country to ensure effective and on-going waste management systems
On-going community awareness programmes and activities in waste management

Specific Targets of the Partnership/Initiative and Timeframe for their Achievement

Coordination and Implementation Mechanism
Regional Forums in 2003, 2005 and 2008 (all stakeholders)
Regular reporting to CROP agency governing bodies
National Steering Committees to be established in each participating country

Arrangements for Funding
This programme builds on the existing national, regional and bilateral activities listed below under “Links”. The programme will attempt to provide better coordination of all of these above activities and build on them through additional funding for national and regional activities. Specifically funding is required to support the Regional Forums, national and regional workshops and training activities, national waste management programmes (including legislation) and the proposed regional clean-up of difficult wastes.

Arrangements for Capacity Building and Technology Transfer
National workshops and waste awareness programmes as noted above
Regional training courses in waste management (JICA/WHO) and established of tertiary training courses in national and regional institutions
Implementation of community-based waste management activities through the International Waters programme and other bilateral activities
Continuation of information and technical support services currently provided through SPREP and WHO, including development of an Information Clearinghouse, and expansion of the waste management network currently supported by the JICA/SPREP waste management programme.
Bilateral programmes in waste management

Links of Partnership/Initiative with on-going sustainable development activities at the international and/or regional level (if any) This programme builds on existing national, regional and bilateral activities, including the following:·

. The recently completed EU/SPREP WASTE project (1998-2001) which has provided regional information on waste compositions and current levels of waste awareness. It has also assisted in the development of national waste management strategies, and materials for use in waste education and awareness programmes.
· The JICA/SPREP programme on solid waste management (2000-2004) which is supporting intensive training courses in waste management, demonstration projects (eg composting) and the development of guidelines for landfill design, operation and management, and incremental improvements at existing landfills.
· The AusAID/SPREP POPs in PICs project (1997-2004) which aims to address existing problems and strengthen national capacities for the management of hazardous chemicals, contaminated sites and hazardous wastes. This programme is also being supported through UNEP, and currently includes a major initiative for clean-up and disposal of existing waste stockpiles and contaminated sites.
AusAID and NZAid support for staffing and associated waste activities within SPREP, including support for activities under the Waigani Convention
National programmes funded through GEF for the preparation of National Implementation Plans for the Stockholm Convention.
The GEF/SPREP International Waters project which is to include demonstration projects on community-based waste management, and an assessment of regional recycling programmes for waste oil.
Bilateral AusAID programmes in waste management (eg The Tuvalu Waste Management and Tonga TEMPP and waste management programmes)
NZODA/SPM project on public/private partnerships, which includes an innovative waste demonstration project in Samoa
WHO sub-regional activities in public health, including waste management training programmes and support for upgrading of health care wastes
FAO programmes in IPM (reduced use of pesticides) and composting (waste recycling)
Other donor-funded programmes (eg. EU Landfill project in Suva, Fiji, and the ADB Rarotonga landfill project and Kiribati SAPHE project)
UNEP sub-regional activities including the preparation of Guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Management Planning in Small Island Developing States in the Pacific Region, and A Directory of Environmentally Sound Technologies for the Integrated Management of Solid, Liquid, and Hazardous Waste for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific Region
On-going waste management initiatives in some countries (eg. Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and most of the US and French Territories)

Monitoring Arrangements
Reports to annual meetings of the governing bodies of SPREP and SOPAC
National waste characterisation studies and waste awareness surveys in 2005 and 2010 (Referenced to existing baseline data)
Reports to the Regional Forum meetings planned for 2003, 2005 and 2008
Regional updates and access to all relevant documents and reports through the SPREP Website and Information Clearinghouse (once established)
National yearly reviews of relevant activities by national steering committees.

Name and contact information of the person filling in this table:
Name: Frank Griffin
Position: Pollution Prevention Coordinator
Address: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme,
PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa
Phone: 685 21 929
Fax: 685 20 231
E-mail: [email protected]