Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision - G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

Kiribati

Actions and Progress on Marine Plastic Litter
Last Update : 2024/07/04

Policy framework: Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy

Legal framework

● Kiribati Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy.

In preparation

● Environment Act 2021

Brief description:
The BRS-Plastic project is a new project in Kiribati that govern plastic as part of an implementation framework (SSFA) from UNEP that coordinate internationally. The government of Kiribati has yet received its funding last December 19th, 2022. The aim of the project is to develop national plan/policy/legislation/ that will oversee the problem relate to plastic, identifying gaps and mitigate the impact of plastic to terrestrial and marine environment and significantly as a guideline for Kiribati legislation following issues related to plastic and for the ‘enabling environment’ future project related to plastic, microplastic, and marine plastic to be implemented nationally.

Measures

Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Yes
Reduce single-use plastic (shopping bags, straws etc.) by regulations or voluntary measures Yes
Steps taken/ to be taken towards restricting microplastics in personal care products No
Improve waste management recycling system Yes
Are there any human-centric, collective efforts/ actions/ practices for sustainable MPL management No
Conduct clean-up activities in rivers/ wetlands/ beaches/ coasts/ coral reefs/ sea floor, involving local communities involving local communities Yes
Taken/to be taken National Level Action and/or Community Level Action on Clean sea initiatives including ghost net retrieval, ocean-bound plastics etc. Yes
Created/creating a value Chain opportunity for abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) No
Financial incentives for fishers to promote the collection of end-of-life fishing gears No
Encourage/ Incentivize action by private sector companies to reduce/ sustainably manage their plastic waste (e.g., Fishing Gear) through policies/ regulations (e.g., Extended Producer Responsibility) No
Do you have/are you building/ are you promoting technology based plastic waste re-use, recycling and recovery opportunities No
Install capturing trap/filter on drainage/river No
Promote innovative solutions (e.g., upcycling fishing equipment, Creating plastic circular economy etc.) No
Boost multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness-raising Yes
Share scientific information and knowledge: R&D and monitoring No
Participate in international cooperation through international organizations, multi-national groups, etc. Yes
Support target region by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: South, Central and Southeast Asia Yes

Measures

Achievements

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Levy of charges/ taxes for single-use plastic products (e.g., shopping bags, straws)

Names of actions:
Container Deposit Scheme, Special Fund (Waste Recovery Act & Regulation) 2004

Targeted products:
PET bottles.

Brief description:
Container Deposit Schemes (CDS) specifically target beverage (drink) containers, and a significant part of the recyclable waste stream of a Pacific Island (including Kiribati) is usually drink cans and bottles. Deposits are paid on the target products before sale to the public, and refunds are paid out when the empty containers are collected and brought in by consumers. The Special Fund (Waste Recovery Act and Regulation) 2004 does not prohibit items to that of the Customs Acts 2019 but declare the levying of specific recyclable waste items/object such as aluminum can, PET bottles and Lead-Acid batteries. The deposit goes to the Special Fund controlled under Ministry of Finance for recycling fee. Currently only PET as a plastic form item is the only levied type of plastic on Kiribati, no MPL mentioned.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Ban on use of single-use plastic products (e.g., shopping bags, straws)

Names of actions:
Customs Act 2019

Targeted products:
non-biodegradable nappies, single-use shopping plastic bags, icebags.

Brief description:
The Customs authority through its Customs Act 2019 has solidified the banning of abovementioned targeted products through its legislation.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design

In progress

  

Regulations on microplastics

No

  

Government actions on microplastics

No

  

Community actions on microplastics including individual and wider stakeholder involvement (e.g. businesses, coastal community etc.)

No

  

Measures

Achievements

Environmentally sound waste management

Enforcement of proper waste management system

Names of actions:
Environment Act 2021, Kiribati Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy

Brief description:
The Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Agricultural Development adopt the provision of enforcement as part of technical work. By this, Environment Inspection, site visiting, public complain regarding litter, illegal dumping, and Environment Impact Assessment is critically implemented at national level following the provision of the Environment Act 2021 and the Kiribati Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean

Names of actions:
Environment Act 2021

Brief description:
Provision of the Act such as littering, illegal dumping, etc., was clearly outline and managed at national level.

We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years.

3.2.3 Are linkages between marine litter and blue economy being studied by your country? Has your country taken any policy/ legal measures to address these linkages?

No

  

Measures

Achievements

Cleanup of marine plastic litter

Collection of scattered waste on beach

Names of actions:
Pickathon Cleanup

Brief description:
The Ministry of Environment held a national cleanup activity targeting public places such as parks, beaches, and public areas. This is implemented by other ministries around South Tarawa and each body are allocated with their respective clean-up areas.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Measures

Achievements

Promotion of innovative solutions

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed-loop recycling)

Names of actions:
Waste repurposing trainings with local communities using plastics as materials

Brief description:
Teaching women of local communities the skills to recreate products from plastics.

  

Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution

Names of actions:
Promoting reusable shopping bags instead of plastic shopping bags

Brief description:
Introducing the reusable shopping bags materials and buyers.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Measures

Achievements

Education and awareness raising

Education system and/or curriculum for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues

If yes, give a brief description of your efforts related to education:
A book was written for year 4 primary school students which talked about waste management and its importance to our everyday lives, including keeping our beaches and oceans clean.

Ongoing school visits and radio awareness programs talking about the environment and its services and our needed roles to ensure the environment’s sustainable services.

In preparation
A Communication Education and Public Awareness Strategy is in draft. This would be a key document in driving the education actions on the environment.

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL

National level:

Names of actions:

  • National cleanups
  • Radio programs
  • Press releases
  • Poster competition

Brief description:
The above actions have been an ongoing program for the Kiribati Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development to engage the public in waste management practices.

Local level:

No

International / Regional level:

No

National level:
We see a positive improvement from last two years

Challenges

  • Recycling system improvement
  • Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
  • Data collection related to waste in general
  • Data collection related to marine plastic litter
  • Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
  • Lack of financial incentives for technology development
  • Project delays due to COVID-19

Best practices

National level

  • National cleanup withovernment ministries, Private sectors, local communities, NGOs, church groups and youth groups.
  • Waste repurposing trainings
  • Waste management trainings to youth
  • Ongoing awareness programs

Private sector

  • Adopting the reusable bag initiative
  • Maintaining proper waste receptacles at their business compounds

Contact Details

Teema Biko (Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management Officer) [email protected]

Teniti Aro Taam (Solid waste management officer) [email protected]

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