Vanuatu

Product Stewardship

Up to 35% of the waste received at the main Bouffa landfill in Vanuatu consists of beverage containers (aluminium, PET, glass). Although these items are highly recyclable, a lack of formal waste management means they are often found littered or burnt by communities in pits.

In November 2019, the Council of Ministers agreed to the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). The CDS Working Group is led by the Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) and comprises government departments, the private sector, local NGOs and J-PRISM II. We will work in close collaboration with all stakeholders, SPREP and PacWastePlus, to develop and launch an effective CDS that keeps waste out of the environment and keeps it in the economy.

SUSTAINABLE FINANCING

Sustainable Financing Systems are essential for managing recyclable materials in the Pacific to cover the costs of material recovery and to improve recycling processes. Driven by regulatory pressures, schemes such as advanced recovery fees, deposits and product stewardship are used for the recovery of packaging, e-waste and vehicles across the globe. Now, these schemes need to include targets to stimulate circular solutions like reuse while supporting job creation and integrating the informal sector.  

VANUATU PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP SCHEME

The Product Stewardship Scheme will involve:

  • Designing a system for material collection across Vanuatu.

  • Evaluating recycling efficiencies including deposit return and end-market requirements.

  • Establishing producer agreements with importers and manufacturers.

  • Engaging in education initiatives and scheme promotion for effective uptake.

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