A PLANNED CLEAN-UP FOR HONIARA

A PLANNED CLEAN-UP FOR HONIARA

Posted by : Posted on : 01-Aug-2019

A clean-up for Honiara

In an announcement from the Prime Minister, the Hon, Manasseh Sogavare this week he talked about the ‘clean-up for Honiara by the time of the Pacific Games being hosted by the Solomon Islands in 2023.

I, too, touched upon the ‘’clean-up’ in a letter last week when I referred to the necessity of the removal of plastic waste littering the environment and for a much better system of household and waste disposal to keep the city free from plastic pollution.

Solomon Islands might follow the example of neighbouring Tuvalu where, from today, a ban has been introduced on single use plastic and a more effective waste disposal method.

It's hoped the new measures will ease pressure on an overflowing rubbish dump on Fogafale where most of the population lives.

Single use plastic bottles under 1.5 litres, plastic plates, cutlery and food wrap are among the items which will not be allowed in to the country from 1 August, according to the Director of the Department of Environment Soseala Tinilau.

The Pacific Islands Forum which takes place in Tuvalu next month is being labelled a "plastic-free" event, according to Mr Tinilau and he said efforts were underway to reduce the amount of single use plastic used with funding assistance from the UK.

Taking the lead from Tuvalu, could the Solomon Islands seek funding from the United Kingdom government for the pollutant clean-up needed at home? Alternatively, perhaps, funding from New Zealand which earlier on said it was ready to help with proper waste disposal in Pacific Island countries.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

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