A paradise lost? Tackling the problem of waste disposal on small island nations

The problem

Many small island nations have huge problems disposing of rubbish. Only about 30 years ago, the people of the remote Ha’apai Islands of Tonga led completely sustainable lives eating fish, coconuts and root vegetables.

Today, imported products packaged in plastic saturate their markets. The only way they can get rid of this plastic is to burn it.

97% of rubbish is burned, which is toxic for health (especially for children) and if it’s not burned, it’s dumped on the coast, where the wind blows it into the sea.

Tongans are a very proud people and are the only Polynesian kingdom to have successfully resisted colonisation. It’s not that they don’t care about their islands – there is simply no alternative available. The low-lying area is unsuitable for a landfill, leaving removal by shipping container the only viable option.

Tonga is an exceptionally beautiful area with huge potential for tourism. It is a breeding ground for humpback whales with incredible diving and world-class surf.

The people are among the friendliest in the world with British explorer James Cook naming them “the friendly islands”.

But for tourism to develop sustainably, a waste management system is essential – who wants to take a holiday on a beach covered in rubbish? How many marine mammals (a key tourist attraction) will choke to death on plastic bags before something is done?

The cleanup

Sustainable Coastlines (SC), a New Zealand-based charity, have planned to coordinate the efforts of local volunteers in a large-scale cleanup event of Lifuka and Foa Islands.

An overwhelming 1000+ school children have confirmed their participation so far. They will team up with New Zealand volunteers on October 13th in an effort to raise awareness and kick-start an education process for the community.

Reaching out to the local young people, who are yet to form an opinion on the issue, has become an underlying priority. And having so many people working together on the one day is a great way to educate and foster a collective attitude.

The resulting rubbish will be sent to the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa by container through the generous support of Reef Shipping.

An educational film will be produced as a resource for schools throughout Tonga and other small island nations, which will teach the practical ways in which people everywhere can look after their people and coastlines.

The road ahead

The event leads towards the ultimate long-term goal of a permanent waste removal and recycling system by container with the help of international aid.

Such a system can then be developed into a formula, which can be rolled out in other small island states, creating solutions for rubbish problems on a large scale.

SC are working very closely with a group of leaders from the local community. By outlining exactly what they have done to organise something of this scale, this will assist them to run the event annually and take ownership of it.

By sparking the powerful Tongan pride over the idea, it will make it sustainable for years to come.

This issue not only affects this Pacific Island community, but a huge number of coastal communities worldwide.

Judging by previous SC results, it has become clear that people will work together to protect their coastlines – they just need the excuse and motivation to do so.

The (not-so) rubbish charity

Sustainable Coastlines was the idea of co-founders Sam Judd and James Bailey after living in the Galapagos Islands. The charity tackles marine rubbish by organising large-scale community events – the next one being that planned in the Ha’apai Islands of Tonga.

Essentially, SC’s job is to motivate and coordinate local people to get out and clean the coastline, in an effort to reduce the impact plastic has on their environment. It also looks at modeling solutions for the long-term future.

By Sam Judd

Sam Judd is the co-founder of Sustainable Coastlines. He has coordinated events in New Zealand and the Galapagos Islands. For donations, messages of support, or if you have an idea for a project, see www.sustainablecoastlines.com for more.