A new project launched by three Samoan environmental advocacy groups intends to engage youth in projects to improve Samoa’s rising environmental concerns.

The youth group will consist of 385 youth from 10 different communities and will be the first-ever such an environmental group in Samoa. 

Led by the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA), Samoa Conservation Society (SCS), and Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG), these three groups have teamed up to implement projects funded by the European Union (EU). 

Projects will include recycling competitions, river clean ups, encouraging the use of natural fertilisers and organic compost in rural farming, and promoting biodegradable packaging to vendors. 

“We are living in paradise and we are so fortunate and blessed to live in such a beautiful environment,” said Fuimaono Sarona Ponifasio, president of SWAG. “That means we have to protect our environment.”

According to Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Samoa only accounts for 1.56 per cent of the global mismanaged plastic waste. 

However, at a national level the average person generates around 2.3 kilograms of plastic per day, which was 48 per cent higher than the world average. 

Rivers often become the dumping sites for the plastic waste in Samoa according to James Atherton, president of the SCS. 

“It is estimated that around 16 per cent of our waste in Samoa is plastics,” Atherton said. “That's around 7000 tons of plastics that we consume and dispose of every single year. It's a lot of plastic.” 

Much of Samoa’s government spending and budget goes toward collecting and disposing of accumulated waste in the country, according to Toeolesulusulu. Last year, the government allocated $29 million towards MNRE. 

“These resources can be utilized for other national economic development issues,” Toeolesulusulu said. “Waste can be managed at the source by disposing them properly, recycling, and reusing them appropriately.” 

Because rivers are often located behind villages, people don’t see the plastic waste they dispose of in the rivers goes directly into the ocean which is then consumed by marine animals and potentially by humans. 

The effects of plastics in Samoa’s waterways could lead to devastating effects on human health caused by microplastics, or small pieces of plastic which could make humans more vulnerable to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and Alzheimer's disease. 

“Dealing with our pollution problem is as much a human health challenge, as it is an environmental challenge,” Atherton said.