Students get on board waste management

29 March 2018, 12:00AM

Twenty-five Year 8 students from Faleu and Salua primary schools, Manono-Tai, got to learn first-hand how Samoa manages wastes at the national level. 

They boarded boats on the 16th of this month to follow the Government contracted boat and truck to remove unwanted wastes from Manono island.

They were accompanied by two Year 8 science teachers and a parent.

A statement from Faleu Primary School said the route led them to the Tafaigata Landfill where they were provided a guided tour of the facility by the Government Senior Landfill Officer, Fualaga Pemita.  

“The youth were amazed at the size and magnitude of wastes filling up the landfill.  It was very impressive.  They asked what could be done about it because of the challenges of limited land, health and environmental hazards,” the statement said.    

“The response from their guide was   ‘Refuse’, ‘Reduce’, ‘Reuse’ and ‘Recycle’ wastes wherever and whenever possible.  

“The four R’s concept was further elaborated on when the school bus stopped at West Management Co. Ltd to view the dismantling and compression of cars and other forms of wastes into large cubes that are sold and shipped to countries like New Zealand, Australia, and India for further processing.” 

Managing Director of Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association, Marina Keil said it’s an opportunity for students around the country. 

“This is the first recycling awareness school activity undertaken since we established the Samoa Recycing and Waste Management Association (S.R.W.M.A.) earlier this month. We look forward to more like this in the future.”  Ms. Keil said.

Ms. Keil also serves as President of the S.R.W.M.A.  

Manono teachers were grateful for the opportunity given to their school.

They also acknowledged the kind support of Canada Fund to cover the expenses of their fieldtrip (T$1,500), the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) and the respective P.T.A’s. 

29 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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