The head of the Regional Environment Programme's waste management says the old Pacific ways of grow, eat and throw, are no longer appropriate in the 21st century.
The European Union has given USD$18 million over four years to help SPREP address waste damage to people and the environment.
The PacWaste Plus Manager, Bradley Nolan, says organised data collection, legal frameworks, business engagement and improving both capacity and education on waste management, are all part of the programme.
Jenny Meyer spoke to Mr Nolan about a recent Pacific wide gathering of 15 nations in Fiji to discuss waste, and asked him to describe the meeting.
Tourists generate more trash in small island developing states - and 80% ends up in the ocean. Photo: Oleg Doroshenko/123RF
