Close to 400,000 PET plastic bottles and cans were collected by the Samoa & Tokelau Association of Recyclers in their Return & Pay Campaign since April. More than 2,000 used PET bottles and aluminum cans were collected during the latest Return and Pay Saturday Initiative on the 26th of October held in central Apia.
The initiative was a joint pilot project by the Samoa and Tokelau Association of Recyclers S.T.A.R and Coca-Cola Euro-pacific Partners C.C.E.P
Speaking to Samoa Global News at the Segregation of Waste & Waste Management best practices workshop President of the Samoa & Tokelau Association of Recyclers Mary Nancy Vito-Alefosio said the main objective and goal of the campaign is to divert the recycles from the landfill at Tafaigata and to help reduce the amount of waste sent there.
“All in all, close to 400,000 mixed plastics and cans have been collected since April and we just had our 5th event last month in October..
“More than 2,000 materials were collected from that event but all in all close to 400,000 were able to be diverted from the landfill.”
The initiative offers members of the public five sene for every beverage container returned.
Ms. Vito emphasized that the goal is to divert recyclable materials from the Tafaigata Landfill and reduce littering, particularly in coastal and urban areas.
Asked if there are plans to increase the cost of every beverage container returned, Ms. Vito said one of their partners, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, had announced an increase.
“Just today MNRE who is also part of the workshop and they mention that the waste levied has been approved so let’s hope it’s 10 sene because it is believed that with the increase in price it will also increase the number of people interested in the campaign.”
The collected containers are transported to the Coca-Cola Distribution Centre at Vaitele for crushing and aggregation before being shipped overseas for recycling.
“This initiative is just one of many solutions that will address Samoa’s plastic problem,” Ms. Vito added and S.T.A.R continues to collect and stockpile plastics and aluminum cans in an effort to keep waste from entering our environment.”
A first ever workshop was also held where S.T.A.R partners including Hotels and members of the community for District Fono Faave were invited to listen and learn why segregation of waste is important.
“It’s about segregation of waste management and its practices, the audience we got today are participants from Hotels because there is a lot of waste generated from hotels and itumalo.”
Ms. Vito added the campaign will also challenge the participants to be champions in their areas and homes to be the ones to teach their families to segregate because they can get some money to help buy cash power and basic essentials.
“Encouraging the public to come down and get some money and save our environment,” said Ms. Vito.
The campaign program also supports broader efforts to promote public awareness, simple waste management practices, and circular economy principles across the country.
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