Enhancing waste management to reduce plastic in MPAs
In the Banda and Lease Islands of Central Maluku, Indonesia, the leakage of plastic waste into the marine and coastal environment is very high. Plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue but also a growing public health concern. Changing consumption patterns have increased plastic waste to 538 kg per day in Banda and 958 kg per day in Lease respectively. Waste dumps become breeding grounds for disease and waste burning releases harmful air pollutants that affect community health. Only about 29% of this waste is collected, and even that is often poorly managed. Around 35% leaks into the environment, posing a serious threat to the sustainability of marine ecosystems and human well-being.
The project is working with village waste management on the Islands to expand and improve waste collection services. It is also supporting community members to reduce and sort their waste and pay for services, while helping village governments enforce local waste management regulations.
The project is implementing activities across five key areas:
- promoting household behaviour change and sustainable financing;
- developing village waste management infrastructure and equipment in line with local waste management plans;
- strengthening the capacity of Village Waste Management Organisations (WMAs) to carry out these plans;
- facilitating village-level discussions on waste policies; and
- supporting project management and capacity building for local partner organisations.
Photo credits: BINTARI
