A market day promoting “reuse, reduce and recycling” will be held on March 20 at the Malaefatu Park at Sogi.

The one-day event will be hosted by the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association and will coincide with the third anniversary of the launching of the association.

The S.R.W.M.A. President Marina Keil said in response to questions from the Samoa Observer that the Global Recycling Day falls on March 18 and coincides with the association’s anniversary.

She said to mark the day they have a number of activities lined up for the week and include a school competition and recycling collection initiative, village collection of recycle items and the cleanup of the Vaimoso river and the Apia beach front.

“We will end it with our 3rs market day,” she said.

Asked about how people can join the market, she said they need to register through their association to secure a spot.

Some of the rules of the one-day market include restricting sales to only recycled products or any item that is connected to the theme of “reuse, reduce and recycling”.

According to Ms Keil, there will be a variety of vendors as well as recyclers’ stall so people should bring along car batteries or copper aluminum if they want to make quick cash to spend at the market.

Vaitele-based healthy lifestyle cafe ReVive have also joined the vendors and will be selling their healthy lifestyle products as well as buy back glass bottles. 

Other attractions include the Samoa Women’s Association of Growers who will sell their organic products.

Asked if she believes that the market will help the public learn more about the importance of recycling, Ms Keil said: “Yes it's not only about recycling, we hope to promote 3rs – reuse reduce and recycle – and hope it can become an essential part of our everyday living.

“Promoting 3rs won't stop here. 

“We will continue to serve our purpose and have more awareness campaigns as it's not something that can happen overnight, it will take time.

“The market is a good opportunity to promote 3rs green recycled and upcycled, environmentally friendly products.

“Samoa has talents and you would be surprised what’s out there, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Looking ahead, Ms Keil hopes the 18 March Global Recycling Day can become an annual event every year. 

She then invited everyone to their 20 March event and said there will be something for everyone including families as the entertainment includes games, bouncy castles and live bands.

“We also want to acknowledge our partners, without them this campaign awareness wouldn’t be possible: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Japan International Cooperation Agency, UNDP and SPREP.

“And despite [COVID-19] we’ve had a tremendous support from the private sector and university who support our work for the environment and have helped us generously.

“Farmer Joe, Vailima, SCB, Pacific Recycle, Nissan Samoa, Naydith, Coke Foundation, Waste Management, BSL, Mynas, NUS, Auto Saver.”