A new collaboration is bringing together three organisations seeking to create a new community-led initiative promoting proper waste management practices. 

The initiative is the result of cooperation between the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (S.R.W.M.A.), the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (A.P.T.C.) 

N.U.S. recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the waste management association, aimed at promoting and sustaining proper waste management practices. 

The Australia Pacific Training Coalition’s Manager of Planning and Country Manager, Eric Clem Groves, said they were approached by the university to collaborate and strengthen their ties with both the university and the recycling association. 

"S.R.W.M.A.’s aim and focus on addressing environmental issues in the community align with the direction of both tertiary institutions on environmental preservation, community engagement and development," he said 

"This is where S.R.W.M.A., A.P.TC. and N.U.S. share a common goal and interest. In a place and time when we have limited resources, our common interests are better delivered unified."

The project is to be funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation with A.P.T.C. being the leading provider of trades, while N.U.S. will provide technical expertise to the project such as the design and construction of the custom made segregated waste cages for collecting aluminium cans and plastic bottles for recycling.

The construction of the custom made cages was carried out by the A.P.T.C. Fabrication team and students led by Tuasivi Kaleopa. 

The project is crucial to both the university and training coalition because it aligns with their curriculums and provides an opportunity for students to apply their training and skills to a real life benefit. 

N.U.S. will oversee the marketing component of the project which will promote proper recycling and waste management practices through community engagement marketing seeking to change consumers’ behaviour. 

Two waste stations were produced as models by A.P.T.C. students which will be the basis of the design of the cages to be produced later and distributed to locations in the community identified by recycling and waste management association.