A recycling organisation wants the government to levy an advance fee on every vehicle imported into the country so the money can be paid for the disposal of the vehicle when its life is over.

Marina Keil, co-founder of the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA), shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by the organisation concerning end-of-life vehicles and waste oil management.

Established seven years ago, SRWMA has focused on six waste streams, notably end-of-life vehicles, which pose a significant financial burden says Keil.

“I think it’s an opportunity for us to maybe seek funding to have an approach on the end-of-life vehicles,” said Keil.

"For us to sustainably address the end-of-life vehicles is the advance recovery fee - it is needed, so that we can sustainably address these issues, " added Keil.

Advanced Recovery Fee and Deposit Systems are laws aimed at establishing a sustainable way to fund waste management and recycling efforts. In the Pacific region, these systems, which help encourage recycling, are commonly referred to as Container Deposits, Beverage Deposits, Advanced Disposal Fees, or Waste Levies.

Despite talks at the regional level about addressing these vehicles, Keil noted, "When it comes down to the national and on the ground, we have yet to conquer that." 

In a recent update, Fuimaono Katenia Rasch, Assistant CEO at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, communicated via phone that the Advance Recovery Fee initiative is "in progress." Fuimaono encouraged sending questions via email, assuring that she would respond promptly. However, as of now, no response has been received.

Moreover, Keil revealed that the SRWMA charges a fee of $100 for the disposal of end of life vehicles at their Tafaigata site. 

"We charge a hundred tala per vehicle when it comes in." said Keil.  This fee is essential for processing and properly dismantling the vehicles for recycling or disposal.

In the seven years of operating SRWMA, Keil confirmed that they have yet to export any end of life vehicles. They export individual parts instead.

As SRWMA aims to tackle these waste management issues, Keil acknowledged the support from MNRE, however, said government and donor support was still needed.