J-PRISM3: First Regional Workshop on 10-14 February 2025

“Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries Phase 3” (J-PRISM3) held its First Regional Workshop on 10-14 February 2025 at Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Samoa.

The workshop was about Sustainable Landfill System in the Pacific Island Countries. A landfill, or final disposal site, is a crucial waste management facility that serves as the ultimate destination for waste disposal worldwide. This is especially important in Pacific countries, which often have limited land space and rely heavily on imported products. An efficient landfill system is essential in these regions to manage the waste generated daily and to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment.

24 participants attended the workshop: counterparts from 9 countries where J-PRISM3 implement the project (FSM, Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, RMI, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu) and Timor-Leste participated as an observer.

During the workshop, participants engaged in group work to analyze issues, visited landfills in Upolu (Tafaigata) and Savaii (Vaia’ata), discussed data recording at landfills and the financial aspects of landfill management, reviewed a practical guide, the theory and advantages/disadvantages of the semi-aerobic landfill (Fukuoka method) in comparison to other landfill types, worked on drafting action plans for sustainable landfill systems in each country, and discussed potential regional actions moving forward.

The group actively participated by sharing the information, knowledge and experiences of their countries, discussing the common issues to tackle and making new networks.

We look forward to further improvements to disposal sites in each country!