The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the Pacific Islands for efforts in improving waste reduction and recycling.
The EPA’s praise of American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands came as the EPA celebrated America Recycles Day Nov. 15 and the anniversary of its national recycling strategy, according to a news release.
“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,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said in the release. “These local programs across the Pacific Islands protect communities from pollution by reducing waste going to landfills and reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas warming the earth.”
Guam’s efforts included creating a “$400,000 grant program for waste reduction and zero waste initiatives,” the release reported Guam will give up to 10% of its “recycling revolving fund for Guam EPA’s recycling and zero waste initiatives."
Tinian, an island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, established a municipal recycling program and announced plans to end single-use plastics, according to the release.
American Samoa’s efforts included collecting 2,000 pounds of electronic waste for recycling from the local Department of Education, diverting it from landfills over the last year, the release reported.
“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,” American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency Acting Director William Sili said in the release.
