Angela Mayer, senior program manager at ANZPAC Plastics Pact, presented online at the Fiji National Symposium on Plastic Pollution Prevention in Suva on 16 October.
During her presentation, Mayer outlined ANZPAC's Circular Pacific Plastics project, which focuses on implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the Pacific region.
This initiative aims to connect international brands with local opportunities to meet their packaging responsibilities and address challenges related to waste management.
Mayer highlighted the project's collaborative nature, emphasising the involvement of various stakeholders, including the Pacific Recycling Foundation and WRAP, as well as the support from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The project addresses the pressing issue of flexible plastic waste in the Pacific Islands, where improper disposal methods such as dumping and burning are prevalent. The pilot programme will establish infrastructure for the collection and disposal of soft plastics, contributing to sustainable end-of-life solutions.
The Fiji National Symposium aims to assist the Fijian government in implementing policies for a green transformation, including strategies to prevent plastic pollution. The symposium's discussions will focus on obstacles to developing a circular plastics economy in Fiji and the potential for new financing opportunities to improve sustainability in the region.
Mayer was also on the ground in Fiji to deliver the Circular Pacific Plastics project as part of the Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Plastics Pact (ANZPAC), supported by WRAP and the Pacific Recycling Foundation.
