An initiative to promote recycling and combat E-waste was launched this week through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between a coalition of environmental supporters called, “STAR” – Samoa Tokelau Association of Recyclers.
The STAR coalition of partners consists business leaders Taula Beverages Co Ltd, Samoa Stationery and Books, Digicel Samoa, Samoa Pure Water Company Ltd, Hyundai Samoa and the Tokelau department of Economic Development, Natural Resources & Environment.
The five local Samoan businesses have taken the lead to came together and take action in the initiative with the common goal of making a difference to lessen the impacts of waste on the environment.
Tofilau Nua Su’a Va’ai, owner of Samoa Pure Water spoke passionately about the need to protect the environment for future generations. Tofilau told Samoa Global News that a lot has been said, and yet, not much has been done to make things happen.
“I acknowledge this business partnership, with the heart to step up and make a difference for Samoa,” she added.
The initiative was first discussed in 2018 according to Tofilau where business colleagues started to call her the “plastic lady.”
Tofilau spoke passionately about the influx of plastic into our environment, saying it has reached crisis levels as evident through the pollution of our oceans.
“Our oceans are increasingly becoming a plastic broth and the effect on the survival of the ocean is chilling,” she said.
“Through STAR we hope to take some of these steps to reverse the tide of harmful, non- biodegradable plastic waste so that our islands are not overtaken by it.”
“We need to acknowledge that we only have one planet, which we are supposed to pass down to our future generations. It is our responsibility to keep it safe and clean,” Tofilau said.
