As Samoa gets ready to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October this year, concerns have been raised by some members of the public regarding the growing issue of litter in public areas. 

One specific location that has drawn attention is a space in the industrial village of Vaitele.

The sight of overflowing rubbish in public areas has sparked frustration and disappointment among passersby, who feel that it reflects poorly on Samoa as the host country for the upcoming CHOGM meeting. Not only does the presence of unsightly garbage kill the aesthetics of public spaces, but it also poses environmental and health hazards for the community.

Sui Fuaivaa from Vailele told this newspaper on Saturday that the sight in Vaitele is an eyesore and it worries him as Samoa is hosting the Commonwealth meeting.

“It’s common sense really, take a look at this area, it’s very embarrassing and ugly to see,” said Mr. Sui.

“People need to bring back beautiful Samoa to its standards like the olden days, where front yards and public areas remained beautiful and clean.” 

A resident in Vaitele-Fou told Samoa Observer that the issue is caused by rubbish that is thrown by people and there isn’t a proper facility to dispose of litter.

“There are no rubbish bins installed in these public areas for people to use, I think that’s why many just tend to throw their rubbish around,” she said.

“I understand that there are groups helping but it seems like people are not educated enough to clean up after consumption, it’s sad.” 

Despite efforts from volunteers and community groups to clean up public spaces like the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA) and the Samoa Conservation Society, the root problem of inadequate waste management and disposal practices persists in Samoa.

The lack of effective action to address the issue has underscored the need for better waste management strategies and heightened public awareness.

According to a law enforcement officer, Fa'alogo Kapelilele Fa'alogo, the penalty for disposing of any type of rubbish in public areas is $200, although no one has been imprisoned for the act. Fa’alogo encourages the public to ensure that our hosting for the prestigious event is a beautiful site for the guests.

"It's sad to think that a minority group of people think it's fine to throw rubbish on the side of the roads, on beaches, green spaces,
district centres and just anywhere that's a public area for people," he said.

The upcoming CHOGM meeting presents an opportunity to prioritise the issue of rubbish in public areas and implement sustainable waste management solutions. Collaboration between government authorities, local communities, and environmental organisations is essential to ensure a cleaner and more welcoming environment for international delegates and visitors.

According to statistics Samoa discards 140,882 tonnes of solid trash total per year, of which 2,380 tonnes are made up of plastics.