Plastic pollution

NCDC raises plastic pollution awareness

In collaboration with the Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA) and various other stakeholders, NCDC has launched a targeted program to educate communities about the detrimental impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems. The initiative aligns with the upcoming World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5.

Collaborative Alliance Against Plastic Pollution

Coca-Cola Euro-Pacific Partners PNG (CCEP-PNG), Coca-Cola PNG, and Branis Recycling Limited have joined forces with NCDC to implement the PET PLASTIC BOTTLE COLLECTION program.

Having launched the program, local residents now have the opportunity to exchange their plastic bottles for one Kina per kilogram, effectively encouraging recycling practices and significantly reducing plastic waste in the region.

Coastal plastic clean-up campaign

Plastic pollution, if not properly addressed, will damage the coastline and marine life that coastal villages depend on as their source of food.

A coastal plastic clean-up campaign was conducted in three Motuan villages along the coastline of Magi Highway.

Coordinated by the Conservation Environment Protection Authority, or CEPA, with the help of student volunteers from the University of PNG Science department, the Coastal Plastic Clean-up Campaign was undertaken simultaneously in these three villages on August 28th.

UN signals 'end' of throwaway plastic

They signed off a document stating that the flow of plastic into the ocean must be stopped.

Scientists welcomed the statement, but were unhappy the agreement was only based in principle, with no firm targets or timetables.

Ministers say it's a milestone because it shows governments, industry and the public that a major change is needed.

Vidar Helgesen, Norway's Environment Minister, has been leading the UN debate on plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution priority for Pacific at UN meeting

Norway has proposed a zero tolerance of plastic pollution and suggested a legal treaty banning plastic waste from entering the sea at the UN Environment Ministers' meeting.

The United Nations said unless new action was taken there would be more plastic than fish in the Earth's oceans by 2050.

Sefanaia Nawadra said Pacific countries support Norway's resolution and many had their own national laws already addressing plastic pollution.

Massive South Pacific Ocean garbage patch ‘a dead place’

Captain Charles Moore, who led the mission around Easter Island and Robinson Crusoe Island, said the South Pacific gyre is at least 1 million square kilometres in size.

He said the garbage patch, which is mostly made up of millions of tiny fragments of plastic and waste from the fishing industry, is probably the most deserted marine environment on the planet.

"And that marine desert phenomenon was more dramatic than I've ever seen in the South Pacific."

Solomons provincial government bans plastic bags

This was endorsed during an urgent meeting last week.

“I hate plastic bag! a bolt and provoking statement, that Hon. Wayne Maepioh Premier of Western Province made at a local ministerial and stakeholder holder officials meeting held at the headquarters of the Western Province government.

More than fifteen officials within the government local line ministries and Gizo based environmental NGO’s and organizations were summoned to attend the meeting.