As the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated America Recycles Day and marked the 25th anniversary of the agency’s national recycling strategy last November 15, EPA’s territorial partners in the Pacific Islands have implemented successful recycling efforts to reduce waste.
Photo credit: Ron Lach
“EPA is proud to recognize zero waste achievements in American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These efforts are making real improvements in how island communities manage their waste and protect the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “These local programs across the Pacific Islands protect communities from pollution by reducing waste going to landfills and reducing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas warming the earth.”
Successful recycling of 2,000 lbs electronic waste
Over the last year, 2,000 pounds of electronic waste from the local Department of Education was diverted from landfills and collected for recycling. A youth education program on waste reduction and management was featured in American Samoa EPA’s “Lumana’i Initiative,” a week-long environmental online classroom for high school students across the island.
“Sustainable waste management is a multifaceted approach in which recycling is a critical component that focuses on resource recovery and reuse—an approach appropriate for our island home,” said William Sili, Acting Director of the American Samoa EPA.
$400,000 grant for waste reduction
Guam established a $400,000 grant program for waste reduction and zero waste initiatives and is dedicating up to 10% of the territory’s recycling revolving fund for Guam EPA’s recycling and zero waste initiatives. Guam EPA’s abandoned derelict vessel removal group brought local and federal government agencies together to survey, remove and recycle 11 abandoned vessels weighing over 60 tons off-island.
“Our administration celebrates America Recycles Day every day by continuing to pay special attention to climate resiliency, sustainability, and zero waste with the overarching goal of environmental protection in mind,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Local programs such as Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio’s Island-wide Beautification Task Force, the Mayor’s Council of Guam Island-wide Environmental Clean-up Program, the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace, and Innovation Hub, and Guam EPA’s Abandoned Derelict Vessel Removal have shown us that diversification in recycling provides us with great opportunities to highlight the natural beauty of Guam, showcasing it to those who cross our shores and to those who call Guam home.”
Campaign to end single-use plastics
Over at the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Tinian established a municipal recycling program, provided recycling bins to Tinian Jr Sr High School’s junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, and announced plans to end single-use plastics on Tinian. The Sinapalo Elementary School hosted CNMI’s recycling coordinator to educate students about recycling and the benefits of waste reduction.
For his part, Governor Ralph DLG Torres held a CNMI Recycles Week ceremony. He encouraged the CNMI community to “acknowledge and participate in the efforts to combat climate change, promote sustainable living, and protect our environment for our children and the future generations of our great Commonwealth.”
On America Recycles Day this year, EPA announced the availability of $100 million in grants for recycling infrastructure and recycling education and outreach projects across the country. EPA has published two requests for applications for new recycling infrastructure grants and education and outreach grants totaling $70 million. EPA also announced a new grant program for states and territories totaling $30 million. (Story courtesy of the US EPA)