Monday 26 May (recoverables) |
Tuesday 27 May (solid Waste) |
Wednesday 28 May (hazardous) |
Thursday 29 May (plastics) |
Friday 30 May (strategy) |
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8:00 – 8:30 |
Set up |
Set up |
Set up |
Set up |
Set up |
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8:30 – 9:00 |
Registration |
Registration |
Registration |
Registration |
Registration |
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9:00 – 9:30 |
General welcome MC & Pastor (30 mins max) |
Technical Session – Disaster Waste |
Technical Session – Healthcare |
SPTO Standards (Plastics) |
CP2035 Workshops Futures planning |
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9:30 - 10:00 |
Technical Session - Recyclables |
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10:00 – 10:30 |
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10:30 – 11:00 |
Morning Tea |
Morning Tea |
Morning Tea |
Morning Tea |
Morning Tea |
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11:00 – 11:30 |
Recyclables continued |
Technical Session – Bulky Waste |
Technical Session – asbestos |
Coastal Surveys (Plastics) |
CP2035 Workshops Futures planning |
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11:30 – 12:00 |
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12:30 – 13:00 |
Technical Session - Organics |
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13:00 – 13:30 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
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13:30 – 14:00 |
Organics continued |
Technical Session – e-waste |
Technical Session – Used Oil |
Communication, Engagement, Behaviour Change, Youth Empowerment |
CP2035 Workshops Futures planning |
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14:00 – 14:30 |
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14:30 – 15:00 |
Site Visits
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15:00 – 15:30 |
Afternoon Tea |
Afternoon Tea |
Afternoon Tea |
Afternoon Tea |
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15:30 – 16:00 |
Waste to Energy Forum |
Emerging Issues in Hazardous Waste Forum |
Pacific People of Waste Forum (GEDSI) |
Official Close |
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16:00 – 16:30 |
Free Time |
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16:30 – 17:00 |
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17:00 – 17:30 |
Networking |
Official Opening of Expo booths and Cocktail Reception |
EXPO Kava |
EXPO Kava |
PacWastePlus Project Steering Committee Meeting |
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17:30 – 18:00 |
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18:00 – 18:30 |
Official Welcome and Conference Dinner |
Movie Night (Apollo Theatre) |
SPONSOR DINNER |
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18:30 – 19:00 |
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19:00 – 19:30 |
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19:30 – 20:00 |
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20:00 – 20:30 |
Free Time |
Free Time |
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20:30 – 21:00 |
Designed as interactive sessions were presentations and discussions are focused on the issue being discussed and showcasing activity that has been implemented in the Region. The discussions should remain technical and talk to the issue, the challenge, the resources, the solutions. These sessions will enable countries to interact with all project teams (not just PacWaste Plus) and be true information sharing on best practice. The specific agenda for each technical session will be specific to the thematic area and issue being discussed, however would follow a general flow:
- Where were we– highlighting the reality back in 2018
- What did we do – hear from the countries that implemented
- What resources, outputs, and outcomes were achieved
- Call to action – identifying country- and regional-specific short, medium, and long-term actions
Speakers from countries, and specialists from across the region and world to be invited. Sessions may be presentation, lecture, workshop, “speed-dating” – a mix of session types to be used to keep people engaged and active and not just sitting and listening (or on Facebook).
Technical sessions will be held on the following topics:
Recoverable materials Management
Household recyclable materials such as cans and bottles are imported into the Pacific islands in increasing numbers, but there have been limited economically viable options for their collection and management. This technical session will dive into the solutions seven pacific islands have implemented to establish sustainable financing schemes to effectively collect, process, and export these items.
We will hear from representatives of Cook Islands, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu as well as project partners; sharing their project activities and impacts, and will have facilitated panel discussion on the solutions and lessons learnt. The session will present resources available for the design and implementation of new sustainable financing schemes and discuss the pathway forward for recyclables management in the pacific to feed into the next Cleaner Pacific Strategy.
Organics Management
Organic ‘waste’ comprises 40% of waste to landfill in the Pacific. But as we all know, this material is not a waste at all – it can be converted into a valuable resource to improve soils and crop yield. This technical session will dive into the solutions four pacific islands have implemented to divert this material from landfill – from village scale composting to medium-sized central systems.
We will hear from representatives from FSM, Fiji, RMI, Solomon Islands, and partner projects sharing their project activities and impacts, and we facilitate a panel discussion on the solutions and lessons learnt. The session will discuss resources available for the design and implementation of new organics management projects and discuss the pathway forward for organics management in the pacific to feed into the next Cleaner Pacific Strategy.
Disaster Waste Management
Natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding often see the generation of high volume and complex type of waste over a short period of time. As a result of economic development, the waste generated from a disaster are not limited to trees and other vegetative matter, but includes building/construction material, e-waste, personal property (including household furnishings) and end-of-life vehicles etc. Pacific Island states face significant challenges in managing the high volume of complex waste generated from disasters due to their limited land area, fragile ecosystems, and constrained waste management infrastructure.
In 2022, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) launched the Regional Disaster Waste Management Guideline to assist Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in the management of Disaster Waste. Following the establishment of the Regional Disaster Waste Guideline, SPREP through funding assistance of the European Union establishment three Practitioners Guidelines and trialled them in Fiji, Niue, Tonga and Vanuatu to assist Pacific Island countries in mainstreaming waste management into Disaster Management frameworks. This session will present the practitioners’ guideline and highlight experiences of the pilot countries with their implementation.
Bulky Waste Management
End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) pose a growing problem in Pacific islands countries and territories as populations and consumption increase. Limited recycling infrastructure and capacity and high costs of transportation to remove ELVs; coupled with a lack of a clear legislative framework, including sustainable funding mechanisms, has led to the mismanagement and improper disposal of this bulky waste stream.
This session will highlight the technical resources developed to guide the management of End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) and ELVs and feature presentation from Palau and Tonga on their approach to managing these issues.
Healthcare Waste Management
Health care waste management is a high priority for Pacific island countries, with several countries implementing national healthcare waste management strategies and guidelines, construction and repair of healthcare waste facilities, and delivering healthcare waste management training.
This session with focus on presentations and case studies of recent actions in the region which is improving healthcare waste management outcomes. Hear from representative from Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, along with project partners on their processes and learnings and participate in an active panel session to discuss paths forward for sustainable options to address healthcare waste.
E-waste Management
E-Waste remains a critical and growing issue for the region. This session will explore activities being undertaken at both an operation level, and national policy level as representatives from Niue present on their dismantling and shipping project, Samoa on their management activities, and Papua New Guinea on the development of a National Management Strategy.
The session will conclude with a panel session to discuss paths forward for sustainable options to address E-Waste management in the PICTs.
Asbestos Management
The removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials has been undertaken in Nauru, Tonga, Niue, Kiribati, who will utilise this session to discuss their project activities, learnings and advice for other Pacific island countries working on asbestos management issues.
A significant amount of work has occurred regionally through the efforts of the PacWastePlus programme, which programme team members will present for the use of all countries. The session will end with a panel discussion to discuss paths forward for sustainable options to address Asbestos management in the region.
Used Oil Management
Used oils, generated from industrial and non-industrial sources, become hazardous waste due to impurities and degradation. They often contain toxic substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and other harmful additives, posing serious health risks through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Improper disposal can contaminate soil, water, and ecosystems, threatening both environmental and human well-being. Effective management strategies, including proper collection, storage, and disposal, are essential to mitigate these risks. This session on Used Oil Management will explore challenges in the Pacific and highlight successful regional initiatives in sustainable waste oil management.
Tourism Industry Standards on Plastics
The Standards and Certification Programme for phasing out single-use plastics in the Pacific tourism industry was developed in partnership with the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and the Australian Government-funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project. The Programme provides guidance to the SPTO and its members on working towards improved sustainability in tourism as required by the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework (PSTPF).
This session will hear from SPTO, Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Samoa Tourism Authority discussing the regional framework, and its national implementation by relevant tourism organisations.
Coastal Monitoring and Clean Up Methodology
This session will introduce the coastal monitoring programme to be piloted under the Pacific Ocean Litter Project in selected Pacific island countries. The Long-term goal of the Pacific Ocean Litter Project is Cleaner coastal environments for Pacific Island Countries. This foundational baseline survey and monitoring work will assist in providing the data to answer the monitoring question linked to the goal ‘To what extent has the amount of single-use plastic in coastal environments of the participating countries been reduced?’
The session will highlight the purpose and value of the monitoring programme in relation to international, regional and national goals to reduce and eliminate plastic pollution in the marine and terrestrial environment and its effects on human health, the methodology for rolling out the programme, sire selection, frequency of surveys and community engagement.
Forums are designed to explore issues that may not be actively implemented in the region but require discussion to help countries and projects address the emerging or changing issue. Forums will largely include a select panel of people that will make opening statements, and then through active discussion with the floor, explore the issue through open dialogue with Forum members and the floor.
CIRCLE EXPO includes three Forums:
Waste-to-Energy
Every piece of waste tells a story, and for BIOGAS, it embarks on a powerful journey from farm to fuel. Discover the potential of transforming organic waste into clean energy through these transformative waste-to-energy actions. BIOGAS is a clean, sustainable energy source that saves money, reduces waste, and thrives within a circular economy. The process may be challenging, but the rewards are significant.
Ready to make a difference? Join our industry experts and practitioners from the Republic of Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa Solomon Islands and Tuvalu to explore biogas initiatives and learn about possible successes and pitfalls when developing waste-to-energy projects in your country.
Emerging Issues for Hazardous Waste Management
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals that are found in many consumer products and in the environment. They are sometimes called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily. We will be briefing participants on what PFAS are and their potential adverse effects. Limited work on this group of compounds has been undertaken here in the Pacific region. However, the research on the impact of these chemical on Pacific Islanders health and on the fragile ecosystems here in the Pacific will be discussed by a panel of experts familiar with these compounds.
Lithium-ion is the most popular rechargeable battery chemistry used today. Lithium-ion batteries power the devices we use every day, like our mobile phones and electric vehicles. Perhaps no other technology is associated with such a confounding variety of hazards in one package. When damaged, lithium-ion batteries don't just burn—they can go into thermal runaway, an unstoppable chemical reaction where cells heat rapidly and begin to spew toxic and flammable gases. A panel will discuss issues in the Pacific region associated with these batteries and discuss potential strategies to address the risks and options for recycling/disposal.
Women of Waste
Join us to empower women in waste management and pollution control in setting up a Women of Waste (WoW) initiative. This initiative will recognise and enhance the women’s leadership roles, supporting professional development, and advocating for gender equality in the sector. It aligns with sustainable development gaols and addresses challenges such as workplace discrimination, limited visibility, and gender biases that hinder women’s full participation in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The forum will focus on the transformative change that provides justifies investment in the WoW initiative. Our aim is to promote women’s leadership, enhance visibility, strengthen professional development, create inclusive policies and fostering economic participation.
These tools will facilitate dialogue among Cleaner Pacific stakeholders and help us to better anticipate and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our aim is to chart an innovative way forward to a clean, safe, and healthy Pacific.
A series of Site visits are planned to different areas and activities operating in Samoa. All site visits will occur at the same time, so delegates are only able to attend one. We have a limit of 20 people per site visit, and allocation will be based on a “first come first served” basis based on when Registrations were received. If we are unable to provide your first choice, the team will be in touch to confirm an alternate option based on availability.
Compostable Diaper Project - Turning Waste into Opportunity
815 million single-use disposable diapers are used annually in the Pacific region, resulting in about 173,000 tonnes of waste. For small island nations, diapers make up more than a quarter of household waste.
This site visit will showcase the Greater Good project, established in Samoa to prove that a switch from the single-use plastic-based diapers to truly compostable diapers (eliminating plastic waste) can eliminate residuals and generate nutrient-rich soil within six - eight weeks. The site visit will visit the compost facility in the Village of Poutasi – seeing the compostable diapers, the compost process, and learning how local communities are getting involved.
Tafaigata Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility
A landfill is a vital waste management facility that serves as the ultimate destination for waste disposal worldwide. This is particularly significant in Pacific countries, which often face challenges due to limited land space and a heavy reliance on imported products. Activities at the Tafaigata Landfill area play a key role in waste management in Samoa.
The visit aims to highlight the achievements and ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and other stakeholders, in collaboration with projects such as PacWastePlus, SWAP, and J-PRISM. These efforts focus on advancing sustainability and environmental protection while addressing the emerging challenges of waste management in the region.
Waste-to-Energy Facilities
The waste-to-energy (WtE) forum will discuss the achievements of countries embracing WtE initiatives! Participants will share their inspiring success stories and valuable lessons learned from the PAWES project, creating a rich dialogue on how to sustain and implement the knowledge gained. This is an exciting opportunity for other Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to dive into these success narratives and envision ways to replicate these impactful initiatives in their own unique contexts. Plus, it’s a chance for countries to critically assess the value of waste-to-energy solutions and determine whether they’ve been worth the investment.
Coastal Monitoring and Clean-up Methodology
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, “We cannot improve what we do not measure.” In response, the SWAP and POLP projects are hosting a side event to demonstrate how to conduct statistically reliable waste surveys and audits during beach clean-ups using UN methodologies.
This event aims to highlight the importance of waste audits as a tool for public awareness and informed decision-making by governments and communities.
This session is designed to be a fun element in the programme where delegates get to watch a curated selection of video resources developed from PacWastePlus and WMPC. The main feature will be the “Pacific Voices” Documentary.
Voices of the Pacific
In the expanse of the Pacific, where the rhythm of the tides has long danced with the vibrant cultures of the people who call its shores home, a crisis unfolds. The same currents that once carried food, knowledge, and traditions now bring plastic, choking marine life, burying shorelines, and threatening a way of life that has endured for generations.
Voices of the Pacific brings forward the voices of those at the heart of this crisis: community leaders, chiefs, and everyday islanders confronting the daily realities of plastic pollution. The film paints a portrait of multigenerational island families spread across the Pacific, each facing unique struggles yet together forming a powerful reflection of the region’s ongoing fight. Through the eyes of children, who will one day become the custodians of these lands and waters, we hear the stories of their elders, the changes they have witnessed, and the uncertain future they now face.
From the pristine shores of Fiji to the low-lying atolls of Kiribati and Tuvalu, we witness the far-reaching impact of plastic waste, much of it arriving from distant countries. As Pacific nations push for justice in the UN Plastic Treaty negotiations, their struggle becomes a rallying cry for the world, reminding us that the fate of the ocean is the fate of us all.
This is not just a story of loss; it is a story of hope, a celebration of culture, and a call to action. VOP challenges industries, policymakers, and consumers to take responsibility and turn the tide on plastic pollution before it is too late.