atoll waste management

Atoll Integrated Solid Waste Management


Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
Waste management on atoll countries poses unique challenges due to their isolation, small land area and low lying positions. The atoll waste management 'pilot' will focus on an integrated, whole of waste system approach which targets priority infrastructure works, worker training, waste collection systems, recycling programme improvements, public awareness and participation and the implementation of container deposit-type systems to ensure the sustainability of recycling programmes.

Majuro landfill site Mar2014 ERichards
Majuro landfill site, (March, 2014, E.Richards)

The large coral atoll Majuro, part of RMI has been selected as the demonstration country for integrated solid waste management. Majuro has a land area of 9.7 square kilometres (3.7 sq mi) and encloses a lagoon of 295 square kilometres (114 sq mi). As with other atolls in the RMI, Majuro consists of narrow land masses.

The main population center, also named Majuro, population 25,400 (as of 2004), is the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Majuro has a port, shopping district, hotels, and an international airport. (source: Wikipedia)