29 Dec 2017

Samoa recycle company to assist Tokelau with waste management

4:22 pm on 29 December 2017

Waste management in Tokelau has been identified as an urgent priority with increasing amounts of rubbish being disposed on the atolls.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed this month between Tokelau's Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment and the Pacific Recycle company in Apia, Samoa.

The dumping of waste on land or at sea is an ongoing issue on Tokelau due to the shortage of land area for a rubbish dump.

A study in 2003 discovered a decline in particular fish species due to waste contamination damaging the health of coral ecosystems.

Tokelau's Department of Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment consulted with communities who expressed their main concern was the management of waste.

The MOU aims to improve overall waste management in all three atolls.

Tokelau

Tokelau Photo: Supplied