The Moana Taka Partnership (MTP) has shipped 16 containers of recyclable waste out of Fiji and Marshall Islands this year.

This is part of the bid to control waste management for Fiji and the Pacific, MTP through CNCo and its shipping arm Swire Shipping and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

According to Swire Shipping Fiji Environmental liaison officer Virashna Singh MTP addresses critical waste management issues in the Pacific allowing CNCo vessels carry containers of recyclable waste from eligible Pacific island ports, pro bono, to be sustainably treated and recycled in suitable ports in Asia Pacific.

SPREP pollution adviser Anthony Talouli said there were many issues faced by Pacific island countries and these range from hazardous waste, solid waste and pollution.

“Being small island states (or large ocean states) is a challenge as well with issues of small economic scales so we don’t have the critical mass for waste landfilling,” Mr Talouli said

“The Moana Taka Partnership is definitely a good initiative; it has helped a lot in minimising waste as they are shipped out of the country to be recycled in suitable ports,” he said

“With more than 12 containers shipped out as of the beginning of this year, we are grateful to Swire for coming on board help fight the issue of waste management in the Pacific.

“The MTP is one of the projects and initiatives geared towards the implementation of a Cleaner Pacific by 2025.”

He said SPREP has set aside USD$4 million ($F8,665,800) for waste management system in the Pacific.

“This budget does not account for the bilateral assistance between Pacific states and donors. However, it is through such partnership with the private sector that ensures the safeguarding of our environment; this makes our work easier when we help combat the issue of waste management together.”

CNCo managing director James Woodrow during the launch of the partnership said they were committed to addressing the critical need of addressing waste management problems in the Pacific region.

“As soon as we became aware of the critical need for sustainable waste management in the region, we work urgently with SPREP and UN Environment to put this partnership in place,” Mr Woodrow said.