Tafaigata landfill is approaching its capacity, despite previous reports suggesting the site may have up to a decade of remaining life.

Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, made the comments during a recent press conference following his visit to the Tafaigata landfill earlier this week.

“All of Samoa is dumping their waste here (Tafaigata),” he said, adding that without major changes to waste management practices, the country could be forced to find alternative disposal sites within the next five years. Rubbish is "beginning not to fit," said Laaulialemalietoa.

“The rubbish being dumped at Tafaigata is starting to exceed the site’s capacity,” he said. “Plans need to be in place to identify other land so this site does not fill up too quickly.”

However, a previous report by the Samoa Observer, citing an interview with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), said the landfill still has significant capacity remaining for 10 years.

“We are working towards extending and expanding the landfill to its full potential. At the moment, we are looking at, at least another 10 years before we reach full capacity,” said Fuimaono Katenia Rasch, Assistant CEO of the waste management and pollution control division.

The Prime Minister said the government is concerned that current waste handling practices, where rubbish is compacted, transported and buried, are unsustainable in the long term.

“Right now, we are just putting the waste into trucks, compacting it, taking it to the site and burying it,” the Prime Minister said.

“If we don’t separate waste such as glass, plastics, metals and other materials that can be recycled or processed, we will run out of space much sooner,” he added.

Laaulialemalietoa said waste separation and improved recycling programs need to be ongoing and accelerated. He added that similar pressures are being felt in Savai‘i, where the Vaiaata landfill also faces capacity challenges.

A Ggvernment statement following the visit said the inspection was aimed at assessing future expansion options, improving site security, and ensuring worker and public safety.